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

October 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1580

LOCATION

التوسعية, Al Tawosoui'ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Fifteen to 16 civilians or more died in an aerial attack reportedly conducted by the US-led Coalition on Al Tawaswiya neighbourhood, Raqqah city, according to local sources. Saeed Ahmed Al Jum’a, his family and another family of relatives were documented killed by the source Marsad Al Hassaka, amongst other reports. According to Smart activists, “the

Summary

First published
October 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 16
(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

October 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS1613

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two men died as a result of US-led Coalition artillery strike on Raqqah city, local sources alleged. The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported that “Ala’Eddin Haj Ibrahim, and his neighbour Mohammed AbdelHadi al-Zein, both aged 51, were killed by an artillery strike outside Ala’eddine home.” The

Summary

First published
October 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1642

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Local media reported that four bodies were recovered from various areas of Raqqa city, though it was unclear at which point during the Raqqa campaign the deaths occurred. In the first of their September 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”,

Summary

First published
October 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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 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

December 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1702 RS2813

LOCATION

غرانيج, Granij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Ten named civilians died and “a large number more” were injured in an alleged airstrike on Granij, according to local media. One sources blamed Russia, while the rest attributed blame to the US-led Coalition. According to Deir Ezzor 24, six non-combatants died when the Coalition “attacked the house of Elias Khader Al-Abdullah in the Al-Samra

Summary

First published
December 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(1 child1 woman)
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy 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

June 4, 2018

Incident Code

CS1763

LOCATION

السايح, Al Sayeh village, Al Hassakah, Syria

Local sources reported that three civilians were killed by ‘indiscriminate’ artillery shelling on the village of al Sayeh in southern Hasaka. In a Facebook post, An Eye on al Hassaka identified “the Kurdish units” as the culprit, referring to SDF forces. This was reiterated by most sources. In addition to the three killed civilians, Al

Summary

First published
June 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2018

Incident Code

CS1795

LOCATION

بادية ذبيان, Badiya area of Theyban city, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that two boys aged 16 and 17, “were killed by an aircraft believed to belong to the International Coalition.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights noted that the airstrike took place at  “Badiya [area] of Theyban city” in the suburbs of Deir Ezzor. Both Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor 24 named the

Summary

First published
September 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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

October 30, 2018

Incident Code

CS1817

LOCATION

متجرعطية العبيدي الشيخ القديمات, Shop of Attia Al Obaidi Al Sheik Al Qadimat, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, on October 30th, 2018, according to local sources. Al Shaafa town’s Facebook page wrote on October 30th that an alleged Coalition airstrike on “the shops of Atiyya Al Obeidi Al Sheikh Al Qadimat on the public street at the division

Summary

First published
October 30, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Incident Code

CI597

LOCATION

several neighbourhoods in West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that up to 25 civilians were killed and between 23 and 26 injured in airstrikes and artillery shelling in various neighbourhoods in West Mosul. Fareek Al-Morasleen said on Facebook that US airstrikes and artillery had led to the casualties. The other source did not say who was responsible.

Summary

First published
April 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 25
Civilians reported injured
23–26
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

January 9, 2019

Incident Code

CS1884

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to sources on the ground, a family of five civilians was killed “by artillery shelling of SDF” on their house in the town of Al Soussa. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the family consisted of three children and their parents who were all killed. The Network dated the incident to January

Summary

First published
January 10, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

March 16, 2019

Incident Code

CS1910

LOCATION

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that several Coalition airstrikes struck Al Baghouz on March 16th. According to Step News Agency and Marsad Al Hasaka, the airstrikes struck the town, whereas government-affiliated news outlet SANA reported the airstrikes struck Al-Baghouz camp. Step News reported that clashes broke out between ISIS and “the militia” in the vicinity of the

Summary

First published
March 16, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1–2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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

RS176 CS148

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A number of sources reported that an adult woman from Soran in Hama governorate was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah. Violations Documentation has published the name & photo of the victim which as said he was killed due to the coalition air force’s shelling.  In their January 2020 civilian casualty assessment, the US-led

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1048a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, four 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. The report stated that “Dhiab al-Rusly

Summary

First published
June 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children2 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2014

Incident Code

CS002

LOCATION

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria

The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that six unnamed civilian males were killed in a Coalition airstrike on Al Hassakah. It said it had obtained the news via the Syrian Network for Human Rights, though that original report cannot presently be traced. In July 2017 the Coalition classed the event as Non-Credible, saying there was too

Summary

First published
September 25, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(6 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

CS158a

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians near Manbij, Syria. Their June 2019 civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 8, 2014

Incident Code

CS024

LOCATION

الخريطة, Khareeta, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilian men were reported by a number of sources as having been killed in a coalition airstrike.  

Summary

First published
November 8, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Incident Code

CI115a

LOCATION

الموصل‎, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local and medical sources said that 13 civilians were killed and up to six more injured after Coalition planes struck their homes in the centre of Mosul, while three more civilians died after a shop was reportedly struck by the Coalition in the west of the city. This report relates to the west Mosul allegation.

Summary

First published
September 27, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

January 18, 2015

Incident Code

CS045

LOCATION

الطيانة, Tayyani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An adult civilian male, was reported by a number of sources as killed in a coalition airstrike on his neighbourhood.  

Summary

First published
January 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 4, 2022

Incident Code

CS1982

LOCATION

الزر, Al Zer, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two children under the age of 18 were killed during a joint Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces airdrop operation in the village of Al Zer on July 4th, 2022. Sources were conflicted as to whether the two killed were civilians or members of ISIS. Al Khabour posted on Facebook that a young man named “Muhammad Fateh Khalaf

Summary

First published
July 4, 2022
Last updated
January 16, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
(0–2 children)
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
0–2
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2015

Incident Code

CI046

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Algiers, Al Faisaliah, flowers, and July neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Sources in Mosul claimed that Coalition airstrikes hit a residential neighbourhood in the city, “killing 17 civilians, including six children, and wounded another 23 who were taken to hospitals in Mosul.” According to BasNews, Daesh/ Islamic State appeared to have recently shifted its headquarters and military positions “into residential neighborhoods,” a move which had likely

Summary

First published
February 28, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16 – 24
(6 children)
Civilians reported injured
23–24
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

May 24, 2015

Incident Code

CS070

LOCATION

أبو شاخات, Abu Sheikhat, Al Hassakah, Syria

A Kurdish ground offensive backed by Coalition strikes reportedly killed six civilians in Abu Sheikhat and Tal Nass villages, to the west of Ras al-Ain. Among those reported killed at Abu Sheikhat were a young female child and three non combatant men. At nearby Tal Nass village, Adalah also alleged that two children were killed

Summary

First published
May 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3 children3 men)
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
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2015

Incident Code

CS111

LOCATION

اطمه, Atimah, Idlib, Syria

A US airstrike on a Jaish al-Sunna ammunition depot in the night also killed at least eight non-combatants in the village of Atmeh, it was widely reported. According to accounts, a number of civilian homes were damaged or destroyed in secondary explosions. Graphic images showed significant damage at the scene. Five young girls were among

Summary

First published
August 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(6–7 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
4–12
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
Al Qaeda/HTS
Named victims
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 26, 2015

Incident Code

CI130

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Three civilian homes were hit in an alleged night time Coalition airstrike – killing an unspecified number of civilians, according to local reports. The event took place near So’dud School and al Tawfiq mosque in Jugheifi neighbourhood. Al Fallujah News posted a picture of a burning building, though said the damage was instead due to

Summary

First published
October 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
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

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI154

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

One child was reported killed and three civilians injured in an alleged Coalition strike at Mosul. Mosul Nawen and Iraqi Spring claimed the attack was carried out by a drone, on the east side the city (‘left bank’). In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI178

LOCATION

تليارة, Tell Yara, Bashiqa, Nineveh, Iraq

A spokesman for the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) stated that 12 civilians were injured in a Coalition airstrike on the village of Tell Yara in Bashiqa, north of Mosul. Ghiyath Alsurja, a media official with the KDP, told reporters that the Coalition had targeted Daesh facilities in the village 17 km north of Mosul, killing

Summary

First published
January 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
12
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 25, 2016

Incident Code

CI195

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources claimed that at least 13 and as many as 46 civilians from ‘ISIS families’ – including children and women – were killed when their bus was bombed between Qayarrah and Shura south of Mosul as it was trying to cross the Iraqi-Syrian border. The bodies were reportedly transferred to the Forensic Medicine institution

Summary

First published
February 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 46
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 5, 2016

Incident Code

CS197

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

A former Syrian table tennis champion and national coach named as Mukhles Ismaeil Khreaban was reported by VDC as having died “Due to coalition air force’s shelling.” The Public Committee for Sports and Youth in Syria later published a detailed obituary: “The teacher Mukhles Khreiban was martyred yesterday on Tuesday evening in the province of

Summary

First published
April 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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

May 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS211

LOCATION

دابق‎, Dabiq, thread making workshop, Aleppo, Syria

One or more civilian non-combatants were reported killed – and at least two others injured – after an alleged Coalition air raid on the village of Dabiq. Step News, citing an Islamic State source – said seven civilians were also injured in the event. Another source said the civilian casualties occurred when a workshop for

Summary

First published
May 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
7
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 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI252

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to various local sources reported that an alleged Coalition shelled the Hasi area of Fallujah, leading to the death of six families, two of whom were killed while trying to leave Fallujah. Al Fallujah Online said 10 people died, including four women and three children, and that 13 others were wounded, including five children and four

Summary

First published
June 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(3 children4 women1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
13
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident