US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

June 13, 2017

Incident Code

CI760

LOCATION

الشفاء, الموصل‎, Al Shafaa, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A total of 35 people people from an extended family were killed, including 14 children, 9 women and two imams, when a home and street were bombed in the Al Shifa neighbourhood of Mosul. Sources said that the family were sheltering in the basement of the house. Initial claims had placed the toll at 50,

Summary

First published
June 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
35
(14 children9 women12 men)
Civilians reported injured
1
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
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
35 named, 8 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 20, 2015

Incident Code

CI060

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Aden, Nineveh, Iraq

A reported Coalition airstrike on an electricity generating facility reportedly killed up tp 35 civilians and injured 22 more when nearby apartments were caught in the blast, according to reports. The US led Coalition later conceded 18 deaths in this event. At the time of the incident, NINA cited a medical source at the hospital

Summary

First published
April 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 35
(4 children11 women)
Civilians reported injured
22–50
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
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI774

LOCATION

الفاروق, Mosul, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Locals reported the deaths of 35 civilians during fighting for control of the Farouk area of Old Mosul. Yaqein blamed the deaths on the assaulters, citing an Iraqi commander: “‘Our military operations in the Old City resulted in the killing of 32 people,’ the commander of the federal police, Raed Jawdat, told a news briefing.”

Summary

First published
June 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
32 – 35
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 16, 2017

Incident Code

CI546

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, West Mosul, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that at least 21 civilians were killed and 17 were injured, including women and children, because of airstrikes and artillery shelling in neighbourhoods of West Mosul. Iraq News Center placed the death toll even higher: “Many surviving civilians [and] witnesses from the right side [of Mosul] confirmed that Coalition airstrikes targeted civilian

Summary

First published
March 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21 – 34
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17–34
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

May 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI693

LOCATION

الشلالات, Mosul, Shalalat, Nineveh, Iraq

Residents and local media sources said that 34 civilians were killed and 77 (numbers reportedly mentioned by ISIL press agency) wounded after Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi government forces hit many neighbourhoods in West Mosul. @sh0_news said in a tweet that “more than 130 martyred civilians are the result of the bombing of the

Summary

First published
May 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
34
Civilians reported injured
77
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 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI434

LOCATION

القوسيات, Mosul, Alqosjat, Nineveh, Iraq

Press sources said that 34 civilians, including 21 children and a woman, were killed after airstrikes and artillery shelling targeted the neighborhoods on the left side of Mosul. A local hospital doctor told Alaraby that “nine dead [bodies] just arrived at the hospital, while the others are still under the rubble”.  

Summary

First published
January 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
34
(21 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

February 26, 2017

Incident Code

CI488

LOCATION

Al Kour and other neighbourhoods on the right side of Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 33 civilians, including women and children, were killed and 35 injured due to Coalition airstrikes and artillery bombing on several neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul. Journalists had reported to Yaqein that “aerial bombardment and artillery [shelling] targeted violently, today, the homes of civilians in areas at the right side

Summary

First published
February 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
33
Civilians reported injured
35
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, ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

January 14, 2016

Incident Code

CI177

LOCATION

الثقافية, Mosul, Cultural group (Daash court headquarters), Nineveh, Iraq

There were effectively single-source claims that an alleged Coalition strike on a Mosul court killed 33 civilians who had been detained on petty charges by so-called Islamic State. Three judges also reportedly died. According to Al Mustaqbal, the Coalition targeted “a former Social Welfare Department building” which now functions as a court. The three ISIL

Summary

First published
January 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
33
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2017

Incident Code

CI513

LOCATION

محطة القطارٌ, Mosul, Central railway station, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and security sources reported that up to 33 civilians (mostly former Iraqi and police officers) died after Coalition airstrikes targeted the railway station at the right side of Mosul. The sources reported that the Coalition had ‘mistakenly’ targeted the train station, which killed up to 33 people (25 -33 civilians and eight ISIL

Summary

First published
March 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 33
Civilians reported injured
8–24
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 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI440

LOCATION

الدواسة, Mosul: West, Nineveh, Iraq

There were claims that up to 34 civilians died and 20 or more were injured following Coalition or Iraqi strikes on western Mosul. The Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that airstrikes had targeted residential neighborhoods and killed 32 people, including women and children. Yaqein news also put the death toll at 32. Shebab newsagency said

Summary

First published
January 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
27 – 32
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
5–20
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 13, 2017

Incident Code

CI535

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press source said that up to 25 civilians were killed, mostly children and women, and 117 wounded due to an ongoing battle in downtown (Central) and Western Mosul. Both shelling and Coalition airstrikes were reported. Local residents and press sources said that airstrikes had heavily targeted the July 17, Rifai, Shifa, Bab

Summary

First published
March 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25 – 30
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
58–117
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI833

LOCATION

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that more than 30 civilians were killed in an aerial bombardment on Tal Afar, west of Mosul, Nineveh. A single source, Omara Al Halbusi, blamed the US-led Coalition for the attack, which he claimed destroyed houses and the civilians inside. The other sources tracked by Airwars did not specify any particular faction

Summary

First published
August 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30
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

April 10, 2017

Incident Code

CI626

LOCATION

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported a major incident in Yarmouk neighbourhood, West Mosul, where airstrikes allegedly killed more than thirty civilians. The local Facebook group Sawlf Ateka named the victims as: “Imad Abdul Ghani Al-Rashdi and his mother, his wife, four daughters, the daughter of his brother Iyad and five other families after they fled to their

Summary

First published
April 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
28 – 30
(7 women2 men)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 6, 2016

Incident Code

CI219

LOCATION

حاج علي, Haj Ali, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources claimed “dozens of civilians” including children and women were killed or injured after Coalition or Iraq government jets targeted Haj Ali village in Qayyarah south of Mosul. While most social media reports blamed the Iraqi military for the event, others blamed the Coalition or both. Yaqen, for example, said it was a joint

Summary

First published
April 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–40
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

April 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI628

LOCATION

سحاب, Mosul, al-Saha and al-Sham gate, Nineveh, Iraq

A single local source reported that over thirty civilians, including women and children, were killed in Coalition airstrikes on al-Saha and al-Sham neighbourhoods in West Mosul. Other sources reported that in total 73 civilians were killed and 200 wounded after three days of bombing by the international Coalition and Iraqi forces.

Summary

First published
April 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

May 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI727

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that seventy civilians were killed or injured as a result of artillery and missile shelling on several neighborhoods in West Mosul. While two sources said it was the work of the Iraqi government, @Sonawa1 mentioned ‘shelling’ in general. Presently no further details are known.

Summary

First published
May 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 30
Civilians reported injured
10–40
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 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI426

LOCATION

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

Local sources said that 30 civilians were killed and dozens injured in Coalition and governmental airstrikes, as well as artillery and missile shelling, on New Mosul and other neighbourhoods at the right side of Mosul. A source told Yaqein that “at least three rockets landed in the New Mosul area on the right coast of

Summary

First published
January 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30
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, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 13, 2017

Incident Code

CI537

LOCATION

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

Relatives, local residents and press sources said up to 29 people from two families were killed after Coalition airstrikes struck their houses in the New Mosul neighborhood of West Mosul. The Coalition later conceded causing 27 deaths in the event. According to Al Jazeera Iraq, 29 civilians, mostly children and women, were killed and many

Summary

First published
March 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
27 – 29
(2 children2 women2–3 men)
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI116

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

At least 20 civilians were reported killed and up to 31 injured after Coalition (or possibly Iraqi) aircraft allegedly hit the Sunni Wafq state religious affairs building adjacent to one of the largest mosques in Mosul. Aircraft reportedly targeted a meeting of senior Islamic State figures at the Waqf site, which has been taken over

Summary

First published
September 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 29
(2 children3 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
16–34
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI146

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A high-ranking officer with the Iraq Army was the reported source for a highly contested claim – most likely Daesh propaganda – that French aircraft had bombed a school in Mosul, allegedly killing 28 pupils. According to German news agency DPA, Brigadier-General Thanon Sabawi from the Second Division of the Iraqi Army claimed that “French

Summary

First published
November 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
28
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 25, 2017

Incident Code

CI484

LOCATION

Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 27 civilians were killed, including women and children, and 63 were injured by Coalition airstrikes and artillery bombing on several neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul. Sawif Ateka published a photograph of an unnamed little girl who it said died in shelling on the Al-Zinjili neighbourhood. In its June casualty

Summary

First published
February 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
27
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
63
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 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI029

LOCATION

الكسك, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

A Canadian airstrike at Kisik Junction was alleged to have killed between 6 and 27 civilians, according to an internal CENTCOM report. The source was an English-speaking peshmerga fighter, who had passed on his concerns to Coalition Special Forces based in Iraq. The Canadian attack had targeted “an ISIL sniper/ HMG [havy machine gun] position

Summary

First published
January 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 27
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

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

April 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI055

LOCATION

الوائلية, Al Waelyiah, Nineveh, Iraq

Abdarahman Alloizi MP, a deputy in the Iraqi parliament, claimed that as many as 26 civilians from one family died, when the coalition struck a house near Mosul, in the village of Al Waeliyah. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
April 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
26
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI543

LOCATION

المحطة, Mosul, Al Mahatta, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents told journalists of the French newspaper Mediapart that 26 people were killed after an airstrike reportedly carried out by an “American-built F-16” targeted an ISIL combatant who was sitting on the roof of their house. A young girl was also severely injured. The report by Mediapart.fr [in translation] reads: “In the neighbourhood of

Summary

First published
March 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
26
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
1
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 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI392

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources told Mosul Ateka that 26 civilians from four families were killed when their home was bombed by Coalition strikes. There are no additional accounts of this alleged incident at the moment.  

Summary

First published
January 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
26
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Incident Code

CI203

LOCATION

الثقافية, Mosul, cultural group area, Nineveh, Iraq

At least 15 civilians were claimed killed alongside 40 or more Daesh fighters, in an alleged Coalition air raid on Mosul. NRN News first flashed at around noon local time “the fall of dozens of civilians by bombings on both sides of the city. More soon.” In a later bulletin, the news agency said the

Summary

First published
March 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 25
(3 men)
Civilians reported injured
30–103
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI257

LOCATION

بادوش, Badush, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that 25 civilians were killed and 48 wounded following an alleged Coalition targeted residential neighbourhoods in Badush, north-west of Mosul. Iraqi Revolution reported “dozens of raids, while Iraqi Spring Media said four families were killed. The US later confirmed two separate casualty incidents in Mosul that day from the strikes – but

Summary

First published
June 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
Civilians reported injured
48
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 2, 2017

Incident Code

CI682

LOCATION

Mosul, Al Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq

Twenty five or more civilians were reported killed following a battle in the Hermat area of West Mosul. It was unclear whether Iraqi forces and/or the Coalition were responsible. Amnesty International provided the following field report to Airwars citing an eyewitness: “On 2 May, in the early morning, there was a big attack on my

Summary

First published
May 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
(1 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
View Incident

Incident date

July 1, 2016

Incident Code

CI262

LOCATION

زانكورة, Zankura, Al Anbar, Iraq

Up to 25 internally displaced Iraqis were reported killed in Zankura following alleged Coalition strikes and Iraqi government shelling. Iraqi Revolution reported the martyrdom of at least 25 civilians, mostly women and children, in a massacre by the international Coalition and [Iraqi] government aircraft following the bombing of the home of Saleh Hajji at Zankura,

Summary

First published
July 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
(6 children6 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident