US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

May 17, 2020

Incident Code

CS1946

LOCATION

الزر, Al Zir, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian was killed by a sniper on the rooftop of his house in Al Zer as he was watching Coalition forces entering the village of Al Shouhaibl, Deir Ezzor governorate, on May 17th 2020, according to local sources. Euphrates Eye wrote that “Muhammad Khleif Al Hamra was killed when he was watching the Coalition

Summary

First published
May 17, 2020
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
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
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
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

October 28, 2022

Incident Code

CS1985

LOCATION

ذيبان, Thiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A woman was killed and two others, including a minor, were injured in an alleged airdrop operation carried out by the Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Hawija neighborhood of Thiban town, east of Deir Ezzor, on October 28, 2022. Nahr Media reported that a woman named Nadia Mustafa al-Ali was killed and

Summary

First published
October 28, 2022
Last updated
November 22, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

March 5, 2015

Incident Code

CI048

LOCATION

برطلّة, Bartalah, Nineveh, Iraq

According to NINA, a source in the forensic medicine department of the local hospital reported that numerous civilians died “in bombing by the international coalition aircraft [which] targeted a stronghold of the Islamic State in Bartalah north of Mosul.” Among 16 alleged civilian victims were five children and two women, whose bodies were said to

Summary

First published
March 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16
(5 children2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 26, 2015

Incident Code

CS072

LOCATION

رأس العين, Road between Al I'dwania and Raja’an, Al Hassakah, Syria

A number of sources reported that a “civilian car” was struck “on the road between Al I’dwania and Raja’an,” near Al Hassakah, killing a family of four. Those killed were described as a man, his wife, mother and daughter – all from the village of Raja A’an in Ras al-Ain.  

Summary

First published
May 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child2 women1 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 7, 2015

Incident Code

CS091

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a casualty incident later confirmed by the US, its aircraft targeted a vehicle in the vicinity of Al Shefa Hospital in Raqaa, wounding seven civilians in the process. No fatalities were initially reported, but the hospital was reportedly damaged. In a Facebook posting marking the event, locals insisted that all of those injured were

Summary

First published
July 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 13, 2015

Incident Code

CS113

LOCATION

مروح, Marwah, Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians, all members of the same family, were killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the Daesh-occupied town of Al Mourouj (or Al Mourwah) according to multiple reports. Saudi newspaper Asharq al Awsat reported that “six civilians were killed on Friday evening [August 14th] after an international Coalition plane bombed the village of Al

Summary

First published
August 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(0–1 children6 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2015

Incident Code

CS128

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

An internally displaced person, a young girl named as Fatima Hasan Al Steif from Aleppo, was allegedly killed by a Coalition strike according to sources. Fatima was said to be the daughter of Hasan Al Steif, and the family had been displaced from the town of Al Safira, in Aleppo province, to Raqaa. In its

Summary

First published
September 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Incident Code

CS142

LOCATION

مسطاحة, Mestaha, Aleppo, Syria

Three teenage civilian males were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike. They are listed as being from Mestaha in Aleppo but it is not clear whether they were killed there.  This incident is currently single source.  

Summary

First published
October 31, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI179

LOCATION

المعارض المنفيس, Mosul, Exhibitions area, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple local sources claimed that 11 civilians were killed and 6 others wounded after Coalition aircraft allegedly targeted cars in the Exhibitions area east of Mosul. According to the National Iraqi News Agency, residents in the city’s Exhibitions area said the casualties occurred when aircraft fired on vehicles: “The bodies of civilians were handed over to

Summary

First published
January 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 11
Civilians reported injured
6–11
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 27, 2016

Incident Code

CS185

LOCATION

عين العروس, `Ayn al `Arus, Raqqa, Syria

According to reports up to 16 civilians including 10 members of a family died in Ain al A’rouss “following Coalition raids.” One adult male civilian victim – the head of the family – was named by VDC as Faeour al Abo. According to Shaam News, Daesh targets had been struck in the town: “International coalition

Summary

First published
February 27, 2016
Last updated
March 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 16
(3 children6 women7 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
15 named, 1 familiy identified
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

May 28, 2016

Incident Code

CS218

LOCATION

مارع‎, Ma're, Aleppo, Syria

Alleged Coalition airstrikes in the vicinity of Ma’re led to seven civilian deaths with more injured, according to reports. Noting the fierce clashes in northern Aleppo governorate, Eldorar reported that “Dozens of civilians were killed in bombings by US aircraft during the last 48 hours, due to the detention of civilians by IS, which is

Summary

First published
May 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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 25, 2016

Incident Code

CI256

LOCATION

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

One local source, Mosul Eye, reported that eight civilian detainees of Daesh were killed after the coalition allegedly targeted a Daesh convoy which was transferring the prisoners to court. Mosul Eye reported: The source explained to Mousliyn, that elements of the organisation brought a group of prisoners by bus for their ‘trial, but international Coalition

Summary

First published
June 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 14, 2016

Incident Code

CI266

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an attack on Qayyarah. In November 2016, CENTCOM noted in their civilian casualty report that “during a strike on an ISIL-held building, it is assessed that one civilian was killed.” In April 2017 the Coalition revised its

Summary

First published
July 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Incident Code

CS288

LOCATION

الراطونية, Al Ratouniya, Aleppo, Syria

A reported Coalition strike in the Jazeera roundabout area of al Ratouniya village was said to have killed a 27-year old local named as Ziab the son of Obeid al Ziab. According to the Manbij Documentation Agency the body was recovered three days later: “The young man Ziab the son of Obeid al Ziab from

Summary

First published
August 3, 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

September 14, 2016

Incident Code

CS311

LOCATION

الصالحية, Al Salhiya [exact location], Deir Ezzor, Syria

Heavy airstrikes were reported, with Step News noting that “Coalition planes bombed al Salhiya near al Bukamal, targeting a bridge that links the area of al Duweir with other areas of Deir Ezzor. They also targeted al Ashayer village east of Deir Ezzor.” No mention was made of casualties. Beloved Al Salhiya also posted a

Summary

First published
September 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS338

LOCATION

الجرنية, Al Jarnia, Raqqa, Syria

12 civilians were killed, including a number of women and children, and several people injured following an alleged Coalition strike, according to local reports. A number of outlets, including Step News Agency, Sada al Sham and Al Jisr TV reported that 11 civilians were killed in the attack, though this figure appeared to originated from

Summary

First published
October 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 12
(2–7 children3–6 women)
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
9 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 29, 2016

Incident Code

CS352 TS005f

LOCATION

الجطل, Al Jatal, Aleppo, Syria

At least one person was killed by alleged Coalition raids in the vicinity of al Jatal, according to sparse local reports. However a Turkish assault on the village was also reported at the time. Halab News named one male victim who it also said was a victim of “coalition raids.” The only other specific report

Summary

First published
October 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 9, 2016

Incident Code

CS369

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was killed and several injured due to a Coalition attack, according to a local source. Step News Agency reported that a Coalition raid at dawn “targeting the IS security perimeter in the city of Raqqa” killed one civilian and wounded others “including women and children.”  

Summary

First published
November 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

November 22, 2016

Incident Code

CI345

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

At least 15 civilians were killed and 33 injured by either Coalition or Iraqi airstrikes, according to local sources. The Coalition later denied any role in the incident. Al Jazeera cited local medical sources and reported that 15 civilians were killed and 33 others injured by Iraqi Air Force and Coalition airstrikes in Tal Afar.

Summary

First published
November 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
33
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

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

CI362

LOCATION

Mosul, near al Salem hospital, Iraq

The Coalition mistakenly hit Iraqi forces during an airstrike near al Salem hospital in Mosul, according to some local sources. Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that the Coalition mistakenly targeted” government forces near Salam Hospital in the southeast of Mosul. And Sputnik News claimed that US Air Force bombs left 90 Iraqi military members dead

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS422

LOCATION

سويدية صغيرة, Sweidah Sagheer, Raqqa, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed and two or more injued following an alleged Coalition strike on Sweida Sagheer. Revolutionary Forces of Syria reported that “According to activists, a coalition raid in Sweida Sagheer killed three civilians and wounded others.” While other sources mentioned Coalition strikes on the village, none refered to civilian casualties. In an

Summary

First published
December 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

January 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS461

LOCATION

هنيدة, Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike near Hunaida. According to the Syrian Observatory, “Explosions were heard in the western countryside of Al-Raqqah city, caused by bombing by warplanes believed to belong to the international coalition on an oil refinery area in Hunaida area at the countryside of al-Tabaqa, which injured several

Summary

First published
January 26, 2017
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

February 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS481

LOCATION

هنيدة, Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria

A reported Coalition airstrike on a gas station at Hunaida killed four civilians, according to local reports. Syrian PC and Smart News identically noted that “Warplanes thought to belong to the coalition targeted Abo Saleh Al-A’lwewi petrol station in Hunaida village which is under IS control which killed four civilians and wounded eight, and burned

Summary

First published
February 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS506

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Land Bank, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians died and six others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to a single source, the Smart news agency. Smart reported that “a local source, who preferred not to be named, said that the warplanes – likely belonging to the international coalition – launched three raids on the city, targeting

Summary

First published
February 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS529

LOCATION

البارودة, Al Barouda, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians died and nine were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Barouda village in the western Raqqa countryside, according to two local sources. Smart said that the wounded included women and children. Smart’s source added that the warplanes “targeted the village despite there being no military headquarters for the organization [ISIL] there”.

Summary

First published
February 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
7–9
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 28, 2017

Incident Code

CI494

LOCATION

المأمون, Mosul, Mamoon, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 15 people were killed and 38 wounded, including children and women, due to artillery shelling targeting Tayaran, Dawasa, Rajim Hadid, Ma’moun and Ma’ash Sooq neighborhoods in western Mosul. While most sources did not say who was responsible for the artillery shelling, Yaqein and Niniva media center blamed the Iraqi government forces.

Summary

First published
February 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
38
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 6, 2017

Incident Code

CI516

LOCATION

حي الصمود, Mosul, Sumud, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press sources said that eleven civilians were killed and more than 40 people were still under the rubble after a Coalition airstrike targeted the Sumud Quarter near the main generator. The Telegraph interviewed several witnesses, who reported: “The planes waited until one of the Daesh walked out into the street and then

Summary

First published
March 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 55
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS569 RS1963

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Between eight and ten civilians died and up to 16 others were wounded in an airstrike on Maskana, according to local sources – though field reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia. The Coalition later denied involvement. Syria News said that “According to activists,

Summary

First published
March 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(0–2 children0–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
14–16
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident