US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

November 25, 2014

Incident Code

CS031

LOCATION

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

There were claims that a ‘civilian male’, named as Dergham Karah Ali, was killed in a Coalition airstrike on the village of Binnish in Idlib governorate. However, two videos later emerged challenging Ali’s non-combatant status. One showed him singing a moderate resistance song. The second video, posted by Islamic State, indicated that Ali had later

Summary

First published
November 25, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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

September 21, 2015

Incident Code

CS129

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

An adult male named as Muhammad Khalifa al Hasan – a civil engineer from Bokros in Deir Ezzor – was allegedly killed in a Coalition strike according to some sources. Others said he had died in a regime attack. A Facebook page covering the locality of Deir Ezzor, where the victim is from, noted that

Summary

First published
September 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2016

Incident Code

CS281

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

One or more civilian was killed and two injured in an alleged Coalition strike on the al Sarib neighbourhood of Manbij. Local blogger Hathifa al Yaman Abu al Majd reported: “Saif the son of Moussa al Hamdoush died due to being hit by shrapnel from raids that targeted al Sarib neighbourhood with ten missiles, targeting

Summary

First published
July 24, 2016
Last updated
March 24, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 22, 2016

Incident Code

CS386

LOCATION

العبارة, `Abbarah, Raqqa, Syria

A 20-year old non-combatant male named as Mohammad al Juma’a al Gaddou was killed in a reported Coalition strike on al I’bara, according to two sources. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
November 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS453

LOCATION

مزرعة الصفصاف, Al Safsaf farm, Raqqa, Syria

A young man died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Safsaf farm, Raqqa, according to local sources. Mohab Nasser, an activist covering Raqqa news, reported that “the child Ammar Ahmad al Suleiman al Gharnouk, 10 years old, ded after being hit by shrapnel following a raid on al Safsaf farm in the eastern Tabaqa

Summary

First published
January 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
1 named
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 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS519

LOCATION

between Hazima & al Abb'ara, Raqqa, Syria

A single source, the Smart news agency, reported that “In the northern countryside, warplanes launched raids on the two villages of Hazima and al A’bbara which led to the death of one civilian and wounding three, one of them in a critical condition.” No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
February 21, 2017
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

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS743

LOCATION

رقة السمرة, Raqqa al Samra, Raqqa, Syria

The Smart News Agency reported that “warplanes likely belonging to the Coalition shelled the villages of Hamra Buwittiya and Al-Raqqa Al-Samra both near the town of Karama, 20 kilometers east of the city of Raqqa, killing four civilians in the first and one in the second, and wounding nine others in both.” Al Araby also

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–9
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

May 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS839

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Euphrates Post, “the International Alliance targeted an oil tanker in the al Hazzam area in the city of Albuqmal and killed the driver immediately.” The Step News Agency and the Shaam News Network also put the death toll at one and blamed the Coalition.  

Summary

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

June 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS904

LOCATION

حي الرومانية, Romaniya, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian reportedly died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Romaniya, according to the Smart News Agency. Smart noted that “warplanes likely to be from the International alliance launched two raids on the Romaniya and Rumayla neighborhoods in the city, killing three civilians and wounding six others in Rumaila, who were working on a nearby

Summary

First published
June 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS936

LOCATION

ﺍﻟﺴﺒﺎﻫﻴﺔ, Al Sabahiya, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that at least one civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s al Sabahiya neighbourhood. Reports said that the al Sabahiya mosque was struck, with all sources blaming the US-led Coalition. According, to RFS, “The shelling focused on the neighbourhoods of al-Sabahia and al-Jazra, west of al-Raqqa and the al-Mashlab neighbourhood

Summary

First published
June 8, 2017
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

June 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1035

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male was killed following alleged ‘SDF’ shelling into Raqqa city. The victim was named as Mohammed al Kasbah by a number of sources and a photo of him was provided. Four of five of the sources who reported the incident alleged that the US-backed SDF was responsible. However, only the Coalition reports using

Summary

First published
June 19, 2017
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

July 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS1174

LOCATION

شارع المنصور, Al Mansour Street, Raqqa, Syria

A young man was reported killed in artillery shelling on Al Mansour Street in Raqqa, according to local media. Sharqiya Voice blamed the SDF, though Airwars understands that only the Coalition has deployed artillery on Raqqa. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: “After review of all available

Summary

First published
July 8, 2017
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

August 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1335

LOCATION

الفدغمي, Al Fadaghmi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Local media reported that alleged Coalition airstrikes caused widespread destruction of civilian homes and schools in al Fadaghmi village, though there was no information about civilian casualties. According to Arabyoum, “local sources said that Coalition raids caused the destruction of the majority of houses in the village of al-Fidghmi. They targeted it with high-explosive missiles

Summary

First published
August 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
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

August 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1367

LOCATION

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al Hassakah, Syria

The death of a young male civilian, identified as Bashir Al-Matar Awad, was reported by multiple local reports. The US-led Coalition was blamed for the incident in all sources presently collated. In a facebook post by Shbab it was reported that, “the death of a young man, Bashir Al-Matar Awad from the village Al-Dashaisha” was

Summary

First published
August 12, 2017
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

August 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1431

LOCATION

T2 near Iraqi-Syria border, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to multiple local sources, one adult male died in an alleged Coalition airstrike. A source quoted by the Palmyra Coordination Committee asserted strikes targeted “a civilian car he was travelling near the second station T2 near the Iraqi-Syrian border yesterday.” The source added: “It is worth mentioning that the Coalition announced the targeting of

Summary

First published
August 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2018

Incident Code

CS1844

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The Coalition was said to have fired white phosphorus munitions on Hajin, according to sources on the ground. Free Deir Ezzor Radio claimed that it was the sixth time Coalition forces used white phosphorus during the month. Amongst others, Sound and Picture and Sana News claimed that civilians were killed and injured, but exact numbers

Summary

First published
November 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1258a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one civilian was reportedly as killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes 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

Summary

First published
July 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Artillery
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 24, 2014

Incident Code

CS009

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A number of sources including the Syrian Martyrs website reported that a woman was killed in a Coalition airstrike on Ar Raqqah. She was reported as being a resident of the city. The3 Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also reported her death fropm Coalition actions – though said this occured on September 24th: ” Fawzia

Summary

First published
September 29, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS293

LOCATION

ذيبان‬, Ziban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Coalition airstrikes on ‘ISIL oil tankers’ reportedly resulted in the death of a civilian driver and the injuring of others. In September 2020, the Coalition admitted that a strike had been conducted on August 11th 2016 against Daesh equipment, killing one civilian and injuring at least one other. According to the Syrian Observatory, “Coalition warplanes

Summary

First published
August 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

October 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS331

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

In a likely separate incident to the one listed above, the Coalition reported the following in its February 2017 civilian casualty report: “Oct. 6, 2016, near Al Shadadi, Syria, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.”  

Summary

First published
October 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
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

January 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS465

LOCATION

Western countryside of Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported the death of one civilian in an alleged Coalition strike. According to the Syrian Observatory, “SOHR documented the death of a person from the southeastern countryside of Homs, he was killed in bombing by warplanes of the International Coalition on areas in the western countryside al-Raqqah city.” No additional details are

Summary

First published
January 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS562

LOCATION

منطقة الهاني الحدودية مع البوكمال, Al Hari border area Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS625

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

According to a single source, Raqqa Post, one male civilian was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqa. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS850

LOCATION

حي الدرعية, Al Dar’iya, Raqqa, Syria

The Smart News Agency reported that a member of IS and his wife were killed and four other civilians wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a building in the Al Dar’iya neighbourhood of Raqqa. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
May 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS947

LOCATION

حي الدرعية, Dir'iya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

An August 2017 Amnesty International report documented the death of 27-year-old Kuteiba, who was killed in the Dir’iya neighbourhood in Raqqa city on June 9th. Intissar, who had already told Amnesty researchers about the killing of her father the day before (see above), stated that her brother was killed “in the street near the mosque

Summary

First published
June 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1014

LOCATION

مسجد الجراكسة, near al Jaraksa mosque, Raqqa, Syria

One named civilian was killed in a Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling by the SDF on the area near al Jaraksa mosque, according to local media. @alrqqa.ahlna SDF artillery blamed SDF artillery for his death, while Ahmed Al Shebli aid he died in a Coalition raid. However, since SDF did not possess artillery in this

Summary

First published
June 16, 2017
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

June 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1078

LOCATION

امن الدولة, Amn Al Dawla, Raqqa, Syria

Two local sources named one civilian male as killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Amn Al Dawla area. According to Ahmad al Shibli, the victim was originally from Maskana, east of Aleppo.

Summary

First published
June 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1121

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian male was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported. No further details are presently known.

Summary

First published
June 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1153

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian male identified as killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, Ahmed al Shibli reported. It is possible that Mr al Zaher may have been killed or injured in an earlier incident on June 28th where brothers with the same surname were killed, but that his name was not identified until now. No further

Summary

First published
July 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident