US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

May 19, 2016

Incident Code

CI238

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to local sources, up to six civilians including four children were killed and 13 people injured in an alleged Coalition or Iraqi government strike on Fallujah. According to Yaqein, “four civilians including a child were killed and 12 others wounded mostly children and women. Most of them were seriously injured as a result of

Summary

First published
May 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2–4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
13
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI255

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

One local source, Iraqi Revolution, said six civilians including four children were killed after the Coalition allegedly targeted the Aleiadiayah region north of Tel-Afar west of Mosul. No further details are currently available. In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm

Summary

First published
June 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 31, 2016

Incident Code

CS304

LOCATION

تلحوذان, Tal Houdan, Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians were reported killed in the village of Tal Housan, in what Halab Today said was “a result of Coalition aerial bombing and the artillery of democratic forces; and the bombing by Daesh of a car on the outskirts of the village.” Fierce clashes between ISIL and US proxies the SDF were reported in

Summary

First published
August 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1621

LOCATION

البدو, Baidou, Raqqa, Syria

Local media reported that between 25 and 35 or more civilians died in US-led Coalition airstrikes carried out at midday which struck two residential buildings in Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa. Despite this, Amnesty field research has since been conducted which only reported the deaths of 16 civilians, spread over two strikes. The Coalition initially confirmed

Summary

First published
October 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 16, 2015

Incident Code

CI141

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

A family of six was reportedly killed after an alleged Coalition airstrike was said to have destroyed a car in the centre of Ramadi. The source of the claim appeared to be the Russian Sputnik news service, which said those killed “are from poor families, unable to flee and under the control of Daesh in

Summary

First published
November 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 29, 2016

Incident Code

CI244

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Northeast, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM later confirmed the deaths of six civilians in a US attack on Mosul. Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “during a strike against an ISIL weapons system, it is assessed that six civilians were killed” In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location

Summary

First published
May 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 6, 2014

Incident Code

CS019

LOCATION

حارم, Harim, Idlib, Syria

Six months after US air raids had targeted the Khorasan Group (part of the al-Nusra Front) and the militant group Ahrar al-Sham, the Coalition conceded that two children had “likely” died in the attack – the first public concession of any civilian deaths after 4,000 airstrikes against ISIS over nine months. The November 5th US-only

Summary

First published
November 6, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2–6 children)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 2, 2017

Incident Code

CI384

LOCATION

الهرمات, Mosul, Haramat, Nineveh, Iraq

Four women and two or more children were killed and eight other civilians injured by Coalition strikes, according to local reports. Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that the women were killed and injured by Coalition strikes that hit a home in Haramat in eastern Mosul. ISIL-controlled Al A’amaq Media posted a video of the aftermath,

Summary

First published
January 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI567

LOCATION

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Mosul al-Jadid / New Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that six civilians from the same family were killed in an assault on the New Mosul district in the western half of the city. Sayed Al Bajari reported on Facebook: “Six civilians of a single family were killed in Mosul, west of Mosul, after being bombed 40 minutes ago”

Summary

First published
March 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

September 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1495

LOCATION

السوا, Al Sa'awa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two to six civilians died in airstrikes on an IDP camp in the village of Al Sa’wa in the western suburb of Deir Al Ghazur, according to local sources. The location is disputed, as Sharqiya24 and Deirezzor24 cited “the water crossing” as the location and not the camp. Marsad Al Hasaka named victims. The source added

Summary

First published
September 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI198

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, South, Nineveh, Iraq

According to a local source, six civilians from the same family were killed after two missiles by allegedly Coalition jets struck their home in the Shura district south of Mosul. According to Yaqen News, the local Mosul source who reported the deaths also added that “indiscriminate bombardment by Coalition aircraft operations has increased dramatically recently,

Summary

First published
March 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1218

LOCATION

أبوحمام, Abu Hamam, school and residential buildings, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that three civilians died in an alleged Coaltion airstrike which hit al Amin School in Abu Haman. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the death toll included three women. All sources pointed towards the Coalition. RFS said that “a warplane that likely belonging to the International Alliance targeted a school

Summary

First published
July 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS1054a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, six civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. According to Amnesty, the strike occurred

Summary

First published
June 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1–6 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS429

LOCATION

الغضبان, Al Ghadban, Raqqa, Syria

At least four civilians died in a reported Coalition airstrike on al Ghadban in support of SDF ground forces. According to the Syrian Network, “four civilians, including two children, died when International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Al Ghadban village.” LCCSY said six died. Baladi and Egypt Today were among all other sources who blamed

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS522

LOCATION

الفرار, Al Farrar, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Six civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Al Farrar, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition or the Assad regime. Halab Today, the Smart news network, SRG and The Media of the Army of Rebels all attributed the incident to

Summary

First published
February 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

June 29, 2017

Incident Code

CI792

LOCATION

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Lakash, Nineveh, Iraq

A single local source reported that six civilians from the same family died after air strikes hit their house in Bab Lakash, in Old Mosul. A senior Coalition official informed Airwars on July 5th that “It is primarily Coalition aircraft conducting AIR strikes in Mosul. It has been a number of weeks since the Iraqis

Summary

First published
June 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1262 RS2366

LOCATION

الميادين شارع الاربعين, Al Mayadin, Al-Arba’eeb street, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five or six civilians died in airstrikes on Al-Arba’eeb street in Al Mayadin, local media said – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition, of Russia or the Syrian regime. Step News Agency, Almayadeen, Syrianpc and Radioalkul were among the sources that pointed towards the Coalition. Almayadeen

Summary

First published
July 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS1184

LOCATION

الطيار, Al Tayyar, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian family were casualties of alleged Coalition air or artillery strikes on the Al Tayyar area of Raqqa, local sources reported. The head of the family was identified by a number of sources, who reported that he and his entire family were killed but did not identify an exact number. Smart News Agency was the

Summary

First published
July 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(5 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS1467

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

An entire family of up to six people died in alleged airstrikes on Raqqa city. The family were originally displaced from Deir Ezzor, and died as a result of “aerial and artillery bombardment”, according to local sources.

Summary

First published
September 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS1670

LOCATION

Al Shafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

It was locally reported that the following six civilians died in an airstrike on Al-Sha’afa water crossing. Most sources didn’t say who was responsible, referring to ‘raids’ and ‘bombing by aircraft.’. However, Khafafeesh al Zalam reported that Russia carried out raids on a nearby town on November 11th, killing two civilians.

Summary

First published
November 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

CS1733

LOCATION

الصفاوي, Al Safawi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Multiple sources stated that three or six civilians, including a seven-year-old child, were killed in an airstrike on a vehicle in the town of Al Safawi in the countryside of southern Al Hasakah on February 28th. Most local sources reported that the victims all came from the same family and were killed when driving in

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 10, 2016

Incident Code

CI332

LOCATION

حمام العليل, Mosul, Hamam al Alil subdistrict, Nineveh, Iraq

A UN report on the protection of civilians in the context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: on 10 November: An airstrike reportedly hit Hamam al-Alil subdistrict of Mosul. Six members of one family (a married couple with four children) were killed and two other family members (a girl and a woman)

Summary

First published
November 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

CI347

LOCATION

القادسية, Mosul, Qadishiyah and Zahra, Nineveh, Iraq

Shelling and airstrikes killed 6 civilians and 30 wounded in eastern Mosul, according to local reports. Reports in Iraq News Center and Al Jazeera referenced dead and wounded civilians in eastern Mosul but did not contain casualty figures. Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that 6 people died and 30 were injured in shelling in east

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS614 RS2025

LOCATION

Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Up to six civilians including two children and two women died, and as many as five civilians were wounded, in an airstrike on the Bado neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local media, though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US led Coalition or Russian warplanes. Palmyra Media Center reported

Summary

First published
March 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1–2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS1175

LOCATION

ميادين: حي الثورة, Al Mayadin, Al-Thawrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least five civilians but possibly as many as six, including three children, were killed and many others were injured in airstrikes on Al Mayadeen. However it is contested as to who was responsible. Eight of the 16 sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Two sources blamed the Russian government, one

Summary

First published
July 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
(3 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
5 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1378 RS2389

LOCATION

صبيخان, Subikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources said that up to six civilians were killed and up to ten more wounded in airstrikes on the town of Subikhan in the countryside of Eastern Deir Ezzor. It was unclear which party was culpable for this civilian casualty event. At present, two out of sixteen sources hold the US-led Coalition responsible, two

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 13, 2015

Incident Code

CI067

LOCATION

بيجي‎, Masahag, Salah Al Din, Iraq

Six members of one family were reported killed when a Coalition drone allegedly struck a vehicle distributing oil products to local people. Responding to questions from Airwars, an MoD spokesman said that no British Reaper drone strike took place in the vicinity of al Masahag on that date. Bayji’s Mayor, Mohamed Mahmoud said in an

Summary

First published
May 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1329

LOCATION

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Buweitiya, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources have reported that on August 4, 2017, between three and six civilians were reportedly killed in an aerial bombardment on Al-Buweitaya in the western suburb of Deir Ezzor. Some sources have alleged that the US-led Coalition was responsible, however, other sources attributed the attack to the regime, and some to Russia. According to

Summary

First published
August 4, 2017
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1548

LOCATION

الصبحة, Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to six civilians died in an airstrike on Al Sabha, according to local media, though it was unclear who was to blame. Most sources did not identify the warplanes responsible for the attack, thoiugh Qasioun pointed towards the regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed the regime, and put the death toll

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 6
(2 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 19, 2018

Incident Code

CS1814

LOCATION

هجين , Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged fourth problem Coalition airstrike in the governorate of Deir Ezzor over a 48 hour period allegedly hit a ‘Qur’anic institute’ (a place in which the Qur’an is taught) in Hajin, in what some local sources described as another “horrific massacre”. Various sources reported that the airstrike killed six civilians and wounded several others.

Summary

First published
October 19, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident