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

September 29, 2020

Incident Code

CS1949

LOCATION

جديد عكيدات , Jadid Akidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that a civilian was killed and two others were wounded when the US-led Coalition forces and SDF undertook a landing in Jadid Uqaydat in Deir Ezzor on September 29th, 2020. Two other people, described as oil merchants, were reported arrested as a result of the operation. The killed person was named by

Summary

First published
September 29, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Democratic Forces
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2015

Incident Code

CS047

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

The Syrian Martyrs website identified a single non-combatant victim of a reported Coalition strike in Aleppo.  He was also named by the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Research which said he was originally from Idlib, though didn’t specify if he was a civilian or a militant. However, all other sources described al Jolani as a

Summary

First published
January 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2023

Incident Code

CS1990

LOCATION

الشحيل, Al Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian was injured during a declared raid carried out by CENTCOM and partner forces in Al Shahil on January 21, 2023. Up to three alleged ISIS members were also arrested during the raid. CENTCOM released a statement that “US Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria, Jan. 21,

Summary

First published
January 21, 2023
Last updated
June 9, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Geolocation
Neighbourhood/area
View Incident

Incident date

July 18, 2015

Incident Code

CS103

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Al Sabahiah area of West Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

An alleged coalition strike on an Islamic State checkpoint in a suburb of west Raqaa reportedly killed 22-year old Omar Huwaidi Al Mueissat when a missile hit the family house. His 17-year old brother Ali Huwaidi al Mueissat was also reported to have been severely injured in the incident, suffering a broken pelvis and wounds

Summary

First published
July 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI101

LOCATION

بين جزيرة الخالدية, حصيبة والبوعبيد, Between Khalidiya Island, Husaybah and Albu Obaid, Al Anbar, Iraq

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq noted in January 2016 that two possible civilian casualty incidents had taken place in Ramadi. The Coalition has confirmed carrying out strikes in the vicinity that day. According to UNAMI, “On 3 September an airstrike hit a bridge in Jazeera al-Khaldiya, around 20 kilometres east of Ramadi, Anbar,

Summary

First published
September 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
46
Civilians reported injured
20–24
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 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI121

LOCATION

كبيسة, Kabaisa, Al Anbar, Iraq

A single source alleged that a Coalition strike at Kabisa City near Hit in Anbar had killed four civilians. A Coalition report issued in December 2016 noted: “After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of each alleged civilian casualty report, CJTF-OIR assessed that the following 12 reports received in October are non-credible. Non-credible

Summary

First published
October 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Incident Code

CI144

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident which may relate to incident CI143 – or was unknown to Airwars – the Coalition announced in January 2017 that it was investigating a possible civilian casualty event near Manbij almost 14 months earlier. According to the statement “five reports of civilian casualties received in November are still being assessed… Sept. 20,

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
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

Incident date

December 27, 2015

Incident Code

CI168

LOCATION

حي المثنى, Mosul, al-Muthanna, al-Masaref, al-Tahrir, and al-Qadisiyah, Nineveh, Iraq

According to single source the National Iraqi News Agency, 12 civilians died and 11 were “severely wounded” in Coalition airstrikes on the neighbourhoods of al-Muthanna, al-Masaref, al-Tahrir, and al-Qadisiyah, north of Mosul. MNN cited Kurdish official Ghyath Surja as saying the Coalition had carried out a targeted strike on a vehicle at al-Muthanna, though did

Summary

First published
December 27, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

CS173

LOCATION

حماة, Hama, Idlib, Syria

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on a possible incident “near Hama, Iraq”. Officials later informed Airwars that the alleged incident in fact took place near Hama, Syria. The incident was reported in the December 2016 Coalition report as: “Feb. 15, 2016,

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2016

Incident Code

CI207

LOCATION

Mosul, Tanak neighbourhood, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents told Airwars researchers that two entire families – 21 people in total – died as a result of alleged Coalition air strikes on their house in Tanak neighbourhood in East Mosul, on March 25th 2016. This was reported in an interview with two witnesses, Jassim Khalaf and Mohammed Sabri, on June 11th 2017.

Summary

First published
March 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21
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

April 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI230

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

An alleged Coalition airstrike on a neighbourhood in eastern Mosul also reportedly killed an entire family. According to NRN News, “Our correspondent said that the bombing was aimed at the home district council of Mosul by Zuhair al-Jubouri in a neighbourhood used by Daesh. But the rocket landed on the house next door, killing five

Summary

First published
April 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 children1 woman)
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 1, 2016

Incident Code

CI245

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

10 to 40 civilians were reported killed, and 13 to 36 injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes in west Mosul. Mosul Eye offered a detailed description of affected neighbourhoods, claiming that airstrikes had hit: “– A home in the Muhammadiyah area near the kindergarten which also damaged neighbours’ houses around it and led to the fall

Summary

First published
June 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 40
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
13–36
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 29, 2016

Incident Code

CI259

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed that families of ISIS members and other civilians were killed or wounded after Iraqi government and Coalition aircraft targeted Daesh convoys fleeing Fallujah to Ramadi Island. According to the US military blog War Is Boring, Between 9:00 and 10:00 at night on June 28, Iraqi military intelligence detected the movement of numerous

Summary

First published
June 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
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, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

July 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS267

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

In a new reported Coalition civilian casualty event in Manbij on July 17th, five civilians reportedly died when airstrikes hit the city. All sources were agreed that the wife and two adult children of Al Haj Bahri al Darwish died. On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident

Summary

First published
July 17, 2016
Last updated
March 24, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2 women2 men)
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
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI287

LOCATION

راوة, Rawa , Al Anbar, Iraq

Two families including children were reported killed following a Coalition and Iraq government aircraft allegedly struck Rawa in a nighttime strike near the town’s Haji Osman mosque. According to News of Iraq, names of four victims have been listed. Reporting for this event and that below (at Akashat and Saada) remains confused. Given reported British

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children2 men)
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, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2016

Incident Code

CI295

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

On the first day of a major Iraqi and Coalition assault to recapture Mosul, nine civilians including five members of one family were alleged killed in an airstrike. Iraq News reported “intensive Coalition raids on the areas of Bab al Jadid and Hadbah, west of Mosul, with reports of civilian casualties.” Accordng to Islam Memo,

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(1–2 children2 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

November 1, 2016

Incident Code

CI315

LOCATION

مناطق وكجلي والكرامة والقدس وعدن والميثاق والصناعة والانتصار, Mosul, East neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Five civilians were killed and 10 wounded by artillery shelling, according to local sources. Yaquen reported that 5 civilians were killed and 10 wounded – mostly women and children – in Mosul’s eastern half due to indiscriminate bombing. The report cited sources who said the attacks originated from French artillery shelling. Baghdad Post similarly cited French

Summary

First published
November 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
10
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

November 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS370

LOCATION

خنيز جنوبي, Khaniz Janoubi, Raqqa, Syria

A reported Coalition airstrike on an ISIL ‘police facility’ also killed a named civilian non-combatant. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, Ali al Awwad al Rahil died when his home was struck during the raid. However a local media activist claimed he died as a result of “YPG Kurdish militia targeting of his home while

Summary

First published
November 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS389

LOCATION

الكلي, Al Killi, Raqqa, Syria

Two brothers were killed and other civilians injured in a reported Coalition airstrike on al Killi. According to a local blogger the attack took place at 1am. A further three or more civilians reportedly died at the mens’ funerals the following day.  

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI363

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Multiple neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Nearly 100 civilians were killed or wounded in Mosul due to airstrikes and artillery bombardment, according to a local source. Iraqi Spring Media Center reported the deaths of 98 civilians in Mosul during the preceding 48 hours due to aerial and artillery bombardment targeting residential areas. In an emailed response to a report submitted by

Summary

First published
December 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
98
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

December 29, 2016

Incident Code

CI380

LOCATION

مستشفى ابن الاثير, Mosul, Ibn Al Athir Hospital, Nineveh, Iraq

According to several sources, at least 16 civilians killed following the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the children’s hospital in Mosul. CENTCOM confirmed the incident the same day and announced an investigation. A number of ISIL fighters were reported killed along with between five and 16 civilians when the Coalition targeted a vehicle at Ibn al-Athir

Summary

First published
December 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 16
(1–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
7–14
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 8, 2017

Incident Code

CI404

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, East Side, Nineveh, Iraq

Local reports say that the streets in eastern Mosul were covered by the bodies of dozens of civilians – their deaths caused by Coalition airstrikes and heavy artillery. Fighting was particularly intense in the Sugar Hill and Muthanna neighborhoods. Alaraby reported that fighting and airstrikes by the Coalition forces and Iraqi forces killed and wounded

Summary

First published
January 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
50
(1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
60
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, 1 familiy identified
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

January 29, 2017

Incident Code

CI444

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources reported that a woman and a child were killed and 12 other civilians injured after Coalition raids had targeted the Husaybah area in Al Qa’im, in the west of Anbar province. Most sources said US aircraft had carried out the airstrikes, while one blamed the Coalition. However, no Coalition strikes were publicly eported

Summary

First published
January 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
12
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 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS486

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

A man named as Mohammad Fayez Bakour from Dabaa, Qusair in Homs was reported killed in a Coalition or US strike – though his status remains unclear. The VDC described Bakour as a civilian, and said he died in a Coalition strike. We Are Qusair Martyrs also noted “we announce the martyrdom of Mohammad Fayyez

Summary

First published
February 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS507

LOCATION

دركوش, Darkoush, Idlib, Syria

One civilian was injured following an alleged Coalition drone strike on a vehicle on the road of Darkoush al jamiliya, according to local sources. Some sources suggested that this was a militant car. Idlib Media Center, reported that “a civilian was wounded after his car was targeted by a coalition drone”. Al amawi, Jisr media

Summary

First published
February 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

Incident date

February 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS531

LOCATION

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Raqqa, Syria

Smart news agency, reported the death of three civilians including one child and the injury of one other in an alleged Coalition airstrikes on Kasrat Juma’a village in the western Raqqa countryside. Smart reported: “The source said the raids are likely to have been by the international coalition and targeted a poultry farm in the

Summary

First published
February 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
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

Incident date

March 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS544

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

Between two and 12 civilians including four children were killed and up to 14 others injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Tabaqa, according to sources. Smart News initially reported that “A medical source said that two civilians died and three were wounded, including a child in critical condition.” Raqqa is Being Slaughtered said

Summary

First published
March 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
3–14
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

March 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI519

LOCATION

Mosul, Dur al Resala, Nineveh, Iraq

Nine members of a family were reported killed in an airstrike in ‘early to mid March’ including four children and three women. Amnesty International has published the following account: “Witnesses told Amnesty International that in early-mid March (they could not be certain of the exact date), a warplane hit two houses in al-Risala neighbourhood, near

Summary

First published
March 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(4 children3 women1 man)
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

March 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS573

LOCATION

زور شمر, Zor Shmar, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Zor Shamr village, east of Raqqa, according to a single source. Smart news agency reported that the strike was “likely” carried out by the Coalition. They reported that “the bombing targeted a fuel tanker while it was crossing the village of Zor Shamr (45 km

Summary

First published
March 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident