US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

December 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1695 RS2797

LOCATION

الجردي الغربي, Al Jarthi al Gharbi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian male was named as killed in an airstrike on al Jarthi al Gharbi. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US-led Coalition, and others to Moscow. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Syrian regime warplanes for his death. But according to Al Haall, Russia was

Summary

First published
December 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2018

Incident Code

CS1726

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Twelve civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin on February 21st. Sources reported that “several missiles” struck the town 50 kilometers northwest of Abu Kamal. Sana, the Syrian state media outlet, initially reported on the incident quoting local sources as confirming the death of 12 civilians – and stressing that the

Summary

First published
February 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2018

Incident Code

CS1788

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child was killed and her mother was wounded in an airstrike on Al Sousse, local media said. Most sources blamed the US-led Coalition, though there was one allegation against the regime. According to the Syrian National Movement, “a female child was killed and her mother was injured by the International Alliance shelling the town

Summary

First published
August 6, 2018
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–3
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
Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 2018

Incident Code

CS1810

LOCATION

البحرة, Al Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local reports said that four non combatants (perhaps along with two ISIS fighters) were killed in a Coalition air or artillery strike on al Bahra. Syrian United Observatory and tweeter Shabab al Latamna both reported four civilians killed. In its own report, Step News noted that “Four civilians and two members of Daesh were killed

Summary

First published
October 14, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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 5, 2016

Incident Code

CS224b

LOCATION

western Raqqa countryside, Raqqa, Syria

A single source, Al Araby al Jaddid , reported that  “Coalition aircraft launched air raids on the area of ​​Abu Qubea in the western Raqqa countryside, killing two civilians and wounding ten others”. No further details are currently available. In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they

Summary

First published
June 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2017

Incident Code

TS048 CS443 RS1834

LOCATION

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between two and 12 civilians were killed, and as many as 22 were wounded, in an air and artillery strike which hit the Daesh controlled area of Tadef, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with two sources blaming the International US led Coalition, two blaming Syrian regime helicopters, and many more

Summary

First published
January 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 12
(0–2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–22
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, Syrian Regime, Russian Military, US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1286b

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah: Museum square, Raqqa, Syria

Investigations for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org) reported that on July 22 nine members of the Al-Zanna family were killed in a coalition air strike while sheltering in a basement under a parade of empty shops in Museum Square. Hours later another Coalition air strike

Summary

First published
July 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(3 children1 woman5 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
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS1022 CS273a

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

In what has been described as a massacre, committed by both Russian and Assad regime and coalition warplanes, between 10 and 23 civilians were killed and as many as 35 more wounded on July 19th in Idlib city. Other sources claimed that the Coalition was involved in the incident. According to Shaam News Network the

Summary

First published
July 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 23
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
30–35
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 13, 2019

Incident Code

CS1923

LOCATION

بادية (فليطح) فلطيح, Faltih (Fletih) desert (Badit Faltih), Deir Ezzor, Syria

Abed Abdullah al-Numan, a shepherd from the town of Al Tayana, was killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike when he was out working in the Faltih(Fletih) desert (Badit Faltih), north of Deir Ezzor – near the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to local media. Suriye u.a.d. reported that the victim was killed by a Coalition helicopter, whereas

Summary

First published
July 13, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2014

Incident Code

CS018

LOCATION

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An internal Coalition report noted that “Open source video indicated that three civilians were killed in a deliberate strike on an oil collection point in DeZ.” Airwars researchers have identified what they believe to be the [graphic] video in question, which was posted to YouTube on November 11th 2014. The Coalition was unable to verify

Summary

First published
November 5, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

January 2, 2015

Incident Code

CI027

LOCATION

الفرحانية, Villages of Al-Farhaniya and al-Subaihat, Salah Al Din, Iraq

An airstrike by an unspecified belligerent reportedly killed 12 civilians including women and children, and wounded an additional 23. The deaths occurred during an Iraqi government offensive against Islamic State.

Summary

First published
January 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
23
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

January 17, 2022

Incident Code

CS1975

LOCATION

الحوايج, Al Hawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to two men were killed in an alleged Coalition and declared Syrian Democratic Forces’ airdrop operation on the village of Al-Hawaij on January 17/18, 2022. One of the men was identified as being a member of ISIS. Euphrates Post reported that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with helicopter support from the Coalition carried out

Summary

First published
January 18, 2022
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
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
Known belligerent
Syrian Democratic Forces
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2015

Incident Code

CS057

LOCATION

تل حميس, Tall Hamis, Al Hassakah, Syria

According to Syria’s Violations Documentation Center, a Coalition airstrike at Tal Hamis – scene of a major battle between Kurdish forces and Islamic State at the time – resulted in the death of a male teenager. In July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of lack of available evidence of

Summary

First published
February 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 30, 2015

Incident Code

CS065

LOCATION

بئر محلي, Jubb Mahli (Ber Mahli), Aleppo, Syria

In one of the worst reported incidents in nine months of bombings by the US-led Ccoalition, 64 civilians were said to have died in an attack on the village of Ber Mahli near Sareen – the majority of them women (19) and children (32). It remains disputed as to whether the village was partly or

Summary

First published
April 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
64
(32 children19 women13 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
64 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 28, 2015

Incident Code

CI078

LOCATION

يت, Hit, al Bakir, Al Anbar, Iraq

A reported coalition airstrike on a Daesh/ ISIL checkpoint also allegedly killed seven non-combatants, according to a single source. According to al Sharqiyah the civilians were caught up in the attack after being held at the checkpoint for an inspection.  

Summary

First published
June 28, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI088

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources reported that four non-combatants were killed and six injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Ar Rutbah. According to Iraqi Revolution, “the alliance bombed Rutba in the morning, leading to the martyrdom and wounding of 10 civilians.” Iraq Body Count, citing Xinhua [source now lost], said that four civilian fatalities had been reported

Summary

First published
July 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
6
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

Incident date

September 14, 2015

Incident Code

CI104

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

The marketplace in Ar Rutbah was hit in an alleged Coalition airstrike according to reports, killing up to five people and injuring eight more. An adult male and a young male child were pictured among the dead. Iraqi Revolution for example reported that “heavy shelling targeted Rutba focused on the market and fuel station and

Summary

First published
September 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
8
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI125

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Six civilians were reported killed and 27 injured in an alleged Coalition strike at al Qaim in Anbar province.  

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
27
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 2, 2015

Incident Code

CI149

LOCATION

راوة, Rawa, Al Anbar, Iraq

At least one civilian was alleged killed in a claimed Coalition airstrike at Rawa. According to Heet News a market and civilian homes were among the structures hit. Most media placed the death toll at one, though some reports claimed fatalities were as high as seven. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led

Summary

First published
December 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI173

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local media service Hit News claimed that Coalition airstrikes had struck a residential building in Hit. No further details are presently available. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the

Summary

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

Incident date

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI192

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

As many as 26 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Ar Rutbah, in Anbar province. A video released by Daesh-linked Al A’amaq showed an apparent ‘double-tap’ strike when the location was again bombed shortly afterwards. The Yagen agency reported that “aggressive Coalition strikes killed ten civilians and wounded

Summary

First published
February 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 26
(9 children6 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
25
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2016

Incident Code

CI249

LOCATION

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple civilians were reported killed and injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the July 17th district of Mosul. According to Mosul Eye, the strikes on a Wednesday night took place at prayer time near a mosque in the Almoghait area – particularly busy during Ramadan. The attack “left several civilians killed and wounded as well

Summary

First published
June 8, 2016
Last updated
March 21, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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

Incident date

July 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS247

LOCATION

التوخار كبير, Tokhar Kabir, Aleppo, Syria

A young civilian non-combatant male named as Osama Ibrahim Mohammad al Rahim was killed in a reported Coalition night time strike on the village of Tokhar Kabir, as part of an ongoing and aggressive air campaign in the area.  

Summary

First published
July 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 19, 2016

Incident Code

CI268

LOCATION

الشرقاط, Al Shirqat, Salah Al Din, Iraq

One woman was reported killed and at least half a dozen civilians injured in an alleged Iraqi government or Coalition airstrike at Sharqat. The casualties were said to have occurred when a Daesh headquarters was bombed in the late morning. Al Samarra TV reported that three families were injured and one woman killed… after inaccurate

Summary

First published
July 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS297

LOCATION

خان طومان, Khan Touman, Aleppo, Syria

There were reports that the Coalition or possibly Russia destroyed the Khan Tuman bridge south of Aleppo city in a night time raid. Casualties were reported among civilians, which one source said amounted to ‘dozens.’ Al Jazeera cited armed opposition sources as saying that “international Coalition aircraft destroyed the vital Khan Tuman bridge, causing deaths

Summary

First published
August 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Incident Code

CS318

LOCATION

حاجي كوسا, Haji Koussa, Aleppo, Syria

A woman and her three children were reported killed in an alleged Coalition or Russian strike at Haji Koussa, near Al Bab. Blame was divided. Local Syran Civil Defence and Qasioun said Russia carried out the strike. Syrian News Desk blamed the Assad regime. Syrian Rebels Gathering said unidentified aircraft were responsible. And Radio Al

Summary

First published
September 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 21, 2016

Incident Code

CI301

LOCATION

داقوق, Duquq, Kirkuk, Iraq

At least 15 civilians – most or all women – were killed and 45 or more wounded by an airstrike which hit a Shi’ite shrine in Duquq, according to local sources. The Coalition later categorically denied that it was responsible for the event, with Iraqi aircraft most likely at fault. Local official Amir Huda Karam

Summary

First published
October 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(15 women)
Civilians reported injured
45–50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

November 4, 2016

Incident Code

CS358

LOCATION

الحيوي, Al Hiyewi, Raqqa, Syria

Three men were killed in airstrikes, according to a local source. RBSS reported the deaths of three men “following air raids carried out by the international coalition.” The Syrian Network and several outlets including Shaam News Network also reported the deaths of 3 civilians. Deir Ezzor and al Raqqa Legal Network shared the same three

Summary

First published
November 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 14, 2016

Incident Code

CI338

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian near Tal Afar, Iraq. Their March 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “Nov. 14, 2016, near Tal Afar, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS checkpoint it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when the vehicle

Summary

First published
November 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

CS395

LOCATION

الرطبة, Al Rutba, Raqqa, Syria

Two unnamed civilians were reported killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Rutba. According to Shaam News, “two civilians were martyred by the bombing of the international coalition aircraft on al Rutba village north of Raqqa.” Al Araby al Jadid also reported that “Civilians were killed and wounded in raids by the international coalition

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
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