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 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS1606

LOCATION

Diriyah, Raqqa, Syria

Five members of one family died in Raqqah city following alleged “shelling” according to local reports. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, four of their children survived and “were taken to a house on the main road at the junction between Hitteen farm and Rabi’at al Atfal. No sources apportioned blame. Raqqa is Being

Summary

First published
October 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1636

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Up to five civilians, including one child and three women, were reportedly killed by an alleged Coalition strike at some point during the Raqqa Campaign, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported. The first report was made by RBSS who reported

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
March 23, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child3 women1 man)
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS1362

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians including one child died in an airstrike on Raqqa, local media reported. Among sources blaming the Coalition were the Step News Agency and Al Hassaka Rasd.

Summary

First published
August 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1585

LOCATION

Huseiniyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five civilians died following airstrikes on al Husseiniya village, local sources said. The number of victims was placed at five in a report by Deir Ezzor 24, including “several others wounded”. Deir Free identified the young man Hani Jadoua Al-Khalif al-Hammad as one of the dead, and said that “artillery shelling by regime forces” was

Summary

First published
October 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1675

LOCATION

درنج, Daranj, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to five civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Daranj, according to local media. Most sources attributed the event to the Coalition. However, one pointed towards the Assad regime and one blamed Russia. Deir Ezzor 24 and Step News Agency blamed the Coalition, with Step putting the civilian death toll

Summary

First published
November 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1768

LOCATION

الحردان, Al Hardan village (al Shayer hill), Al Hassakah, Syria

Two to four civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of al Hardoun. Marsad al Hassaka stated that the house of Mohammed Ahmed Hardan was targeted at “dawn today”, where he was killed with his three children while his wife was seriously injured. Zaman al Wasl quoted a local activist who

Summary

First published
June 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–3 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI312

LOCATION

حي القاهرة, Mosul, Cairo, Nineveh, Iraq

Five civilians were killed and seven others injured – Furthermore, 8 ISIL fighters killed – Followed an alleged Coalition on an ISIL web media office in the Cairo neighbourhood of eastern Mosul. According to LBC, Maj. Younis Khalil al-Taie, a Special Forces (Gold Division of the Ministry of Defense), quoting medical sources, that the forensic

Summary

First published
October 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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

January 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS454

LOCATION

النيرب, Al Nayrab, Idlib, Syria

Between three and five civilians including two children and one woman died and up to 20 others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Nayrab, according to local sources. The Coalition later denied involvement. The Syrian Network said “At least 3 civilians (two children and a woman) died in international Coalition warplanes missiles fired

Summary

First published
January 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–20
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2017

Incident Code

CI450

LOCATION

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

In an incident previously reported by so-called Islamic State, the Coalition confirmed on April 1st that it had accidentally injured three non-combatants in an attack. ISIS had reported five deaths and 29 injuries. Locals also said at least five people had died. The Coalition noted in its April 2017 casualty report: “near Mosul, Iraq, via

Summary

First published
February 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3–29
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI714

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “On 15 May, an airstrike targeting passing ISIL vehicles damaged a civilian house in the ISIL-controlled al- Rifae neighbourhood of western Mosul, killing five civilians, including two women and a child, and wounding 11 others, including

Summary

First published
May 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child2 women)
Civilians reported injured
11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1595

LOCATION

حديقة المرورية, الجميلي, Ar Raqqah: Between Hadika Al Mororia (Traffic Park) and Jumaili neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Four to five civilians were reported killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the area between Al Hadika Al Mororia and Al Jumaili, Raqqah city. According to Syrian Press Center, the “the International Coalition targeted more than 10 air strikes in the northern neighbourhoods of Raqqah” during this time. Later reports from Raqqa is Being

Summary

First published
October 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4–5 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS911 CS232

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria

Between three and five civilians died and up to 17 others were wounded in an airstrike on Al Mansoura village, according to local media. Multiple reports said a strike hit a car travelling along the al Rasafa road and killed those inside. It was unclear who was responsible for the deaths, with allegations against Russia,

Summary

First published
June 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
Civilians reported injured
2–17
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

CS346

LOCATION

الجرنية, Al Jarnia, Raqqa, Syria

Coalition raids in the vicinity of ground fighting left at least 2 civilians dead, according to local sources. Initial reports from ISIS-controlled Al A’amaq Agency blamed the Coalition for the deaths of two civilians. Subsequent reporting echoed that account (they may have been based on Al A’amaq);Al Jarnia and several other outlets named the two

Summary

First published
October 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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

November 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS359

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Al Safsafa, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians were killed in coalition strikes, according to local sources. Step News Agency reported that “4 civilians were killed and others injured in an air raid by the international coalition targeting Al Safsafa neighborhood in the city of Raqqa.” Al Mirsad and Al Amawi also reported raids in the neighborhood and said 4 civilians

Summary

First published
November 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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

February 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS490

LOCATION

هنيدة, Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported the deaths of four civilians at Hunaida village near Raqqa. According to Smart News, “Local sources told our Smart reporter that planes likely to be the international coalition, launched raids on the towns of Mansoura and Hunaida in the western countryside, killing four civilians and seriously wounding seven others, including women.”

Summary

First published
February 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Civilians reported injured
6–7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS793

LOCATION

شنينة, Shanina, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians including two children and one woman were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes at Shanina village, north of Raqqa city. Among the dead were one woman and two children, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the names of civilians killed. All three sources alleged the

Summary

First published
May 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1526

LOCATION

Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, Raqqa24 and the Shaam News Netowork, a number of civilians were killed and wounded when they were hit with artillery shells as they gathered to collect water in Raqqah’s al Badou neighbourhood. Athr Press attributed the event to ground forces, saying that “four civilians were killed and others

Summary

First published
September 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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, Syrian Democratic Forces, ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1676

LOCATION

ابو حمام, Abu Haman, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Euphrates Post, the Syrian Democratic Forces carried out an artillery bombardment on Abu Hamam. It said that there had been civilian casualties but didn’t specify a number. Al Qouriya Media Center provided some more detail. It reported that “artillery shelling targeted a family from al-Qouriya, the family of Hussein al-Ali al-Sayer al-Hamad.

Summary

First published
November 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–13
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, Syrian Democratic Forces
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1769

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to local sources, up to four civilians, including women and children, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Baghouz Foqani. Step News Agency reported that two women and one girl were killed and another person injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights however stated that in fact two children and one woman

Summary

First published
June 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1–3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
6–13
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
4 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 30, 2018

Incident Code

CS1821

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported on “two new massacres” resulting from alleged Coalition airstrikes targeting the towns of Al Sha’afa and al-Kushma in Deir al-Zour.  Media reported said that four civilians died in this particular event in Sha’fa, when a civilian’s home was allegedly struck by the Coalition. According to The Al Sha’afa Facebook page on October

Summary

First published
October 30, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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

October 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1645a RS2643

LOCATION

الغبرة, Al-Ghabra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Airstrikes struck a residential neighbourhood and popular market in Al-Ghabra – according to local media. As many as four civilians were killed and others were injured. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the airstrikes, some attributing blame to Russian warplanes while others blamed the Syrian regime.  Some sources attributed blame to

Summary

First published
October 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 11, 2015

Incident Code

CS099

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In the last of three reported Raqaa incidents for July 11th, a civilian firefighting team in the city reportedly died in a coalition airstrike. According to Al Araby, the Coalition “launched eight raids targeting Daesh sites on the outskirts of Raqqa city. These hit the areas of Al Hamrat, Al Sina’a [Industry] and the Faculty

Summary

First published
July 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 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
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

June 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS240

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a previously unreported incident, the US admitted six months later that it had killed four civilians in an attack on Raqqa, noting that “June 23, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL-held building, it is assessed that four civilians were killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released

Summary

First published
June 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1081

LOCATION

ﺍﻡ ﺣﻔﻮﺭ, Umm Hfour, Al Hassakah, Syria

According to multiple local sources, “a whole family” died in the village of Umm Hfour in an alleged Coalition airstrike. Hasaka Voice and other sources the victims died “because they were targeted by an air strike by the International Coalition”. The US-led alliance eventually reported strikes in the vicinity that day, suggesting that the cause

Summary

First published
June 25, 2017
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

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1536

LOCATION

Imam al Nawawi mosque, al Nahda neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

According to family members and local reports, four civilians including, Fawaz Yousef Sulaiman Al-Zureiqat aka Abu Yusuf, died in a Coalition strike on the al Nahda neighbourhood, near the al Imam al Nawawi mosque. Mr al Zureiqat’s death was also reported by his nephew, who noted that “We note the death of my uncle Fawaz

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 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
View Incident

Incident date

May 23, 2018

Incident Code

CS1753a

LOCATION

هجين, Near Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Self-reporting by the US-led Coalition identified four civilians killed in a strike in the vicinity of Hajin in Deir Ezzor. Local reports at the time made no reference to civilian harm. According to a Coalition report issued September 27th 2018, “May 23, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via self-report. During a strike four civilians were unintentionally

Summary

First published
May 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2015

Incident Code

CS138

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Four named civilians were reported killed in an airstrike at Manbij, although opinions were split as to whether the victims had been killed by the Assad regime or by the Coalition. As Ara News noted, “the identity of the planes remains unknown, because of the number of different actors that are bombing the Aleppo countryside

Summary

First published
October 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(3–4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 24, 2016

Incident Code

CS206

LOCATION

كفرغان, Kafr Ghan, Aleppo, Syria

The Daesh-linked Al A’Amaq Agency reported the deaths of four civilians “in an American bombing on the village of Kafr Ghan in Souran in the northern Aleppo countryside.” Other news agencies also reported the deaths of civilians in an alleged Coalition event. Syria News, while making no mention of civilian casualties, reported that “International coalition

Summary

First published
April 24, 2016
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

July 3, 2016

Incident Code

CS245

LOCATION

الخفسة, Al Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians were killed and three injured in a US strike at Al Khafsa. According to the Manbij Coordinating Committee, “the village of Arba’a Kbeer [al Hamr] suffered Coalition raids on the road between Manbij and al Khafsa. There are wounded and one death of a displaced person in the area.” One of the dead

Summary

First published
July 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2016

Incident Code

CS372

LOCATION

طريق حزيمة - تل أبيض, Hazima-al Tabyad road, Raqqa, Syria

A family of four was reported killed when their car was struck in an alleged Coalition airstrke on the Hazime-Tal Abiyad road. Sadaa al Sham cited local sources as saying that “Coalition aircraft targeted a car belonging to displaced people on the road between Hazima and Tal Abiyad north of the city of Raqqa, killing

Summary

First published
November 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman)
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