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

April 29, 2016

Incident Code

CI234

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

The attempted US targeted killing of the Australian Neil Prakash, ‘an ISIL external operations facilitator’ instead “struck three civilians on the road and one civilian located on an adjacent compound,” CENTCOM admitted three months later. Among the four civilians who were killed in the airstrike that day, one man was named by local sources, Ziad

Summary

First published
April 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Incident Code

CS318

LOCATION

حاجي كوسا, Haji Koussa, Aleppo, Syria

A woman and her three children were reported killed in an alleged Coalition or Russian strike at Haji Koussa, near Al Bab. Blame was divided. Local Syran Civil Defence and Qasioun said Russia carried out the strike. Syrian News Desk blamed the Assad regime. Syrian Rebels Gathering said unidentified aircraft were responsible. And Radio Al

Summary

First published
September 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 woman)
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, Unknown
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

July 3, 2017

Incident Code

CI800

LOCATION

دگة بركة, Mosul, Dakat Barka, Nineveh, Iraq

A local monitor reported the deaths of four named civilians after their home in Dakkat Barka was shelled by an unknown source. Mosul Ateka reported “The death of Mus’ab Talal al-Qasab (the son of Mukhtar Daga Baraka), his son, his sister and his sister’s daughter. Their bodies are still under the rubble, while the rest

Summary

First published
July 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI327

LOCATION

المصارف, Mosul, Al Masarif, Nineveh, Iraq

According to a single local source, four civilians were killed in an alleged coalition strike on Al Masarif, Mosul. Yaqein reported that three children and a male civilian were killed in the northeast Al Masarif neighborhood of Mosul. The attacks severely damaged houses and shops in the neighbourhood.  

Summary

First published
November 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2016

Incident Code

CI372

LOCATION

حي السكر, Mosul, Sukkar, Nineveh, Iraq

Four civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition strike on al Sukkar, survivors told the US news magazine Buzzfeed. The alliance later accepted responsibility for the incident. Buzzfeed met with survivors in mid-2017, with the outlet later sharing its incident notes with Airwars: Eyewitness told journalist Mike Giglio when he met him at his

Summary

First published
December 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS437

LOCATION

دبسي عفنان, Debsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria

Between two and four civilians including a child were alleged killed in a Coalition airstrike on Debsi Afnan, according to some local sources. Al Natek reported that four non-combatants died in a Coalition strike. And the Syrian Network said “at least two civilians including a child died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Debsi

Summary

First published
January 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–4
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

March 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS646

LOCATION

مزرعة تشرين, Tishreen farm, Raqqa, Syria

Three or four civilians died in an alleged Coalition strike on Tishren farm, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, blaming the Coalition, put the death toll at three. However, Baladi, said that four civilians died, while Qasioun added that dozens more were injured.  

Summary

First published
March 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–24
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

July 30, 2017

Incident Code

CI817

LOCATION

راوة, Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to residents and press, four civilians from the same family were killed in Rawa following an airstrike targeted their house. The sources identified the victim family by name as Jamal Saeed Ali Abu Khalid  None of the sources identified who was responsible for the airstrike.

Summary

First published
July 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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, Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1640

LOCATION

البدو, Clinics in Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

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

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

December 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1700

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and four civilians died and several others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajeen, according to local media. Sources said that the strike hit the car which the victims were in. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at two, though most other sources said that three died.

Summary

First published
December 22, 2017
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2017

Incident Code

RS2684 CS1666a

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abo Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as four civilians were killed in Russian airstrikes according to local media, as well as a report by the Russian Ministry of Defence. However, one source reported “We do not know whether the bombing is Russian or Coalition”. Many other sources blamed the International Coalition for the strikes. Some sources blamed Iraqi airstrikes,

Summary

First published
November 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
20
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 30, 2015

Incident Code

CI098

LOCATION

أربيل, Near Irbil, Erbil, Iraq

Three or four possible civilians were reported killed in an airstrike in northern Iraq, carried out by two Danish F-16s which each dropped a 500lb GBU-12 bomb. The possible error was discovered after a Danish review of cockpit video: “In some parts of the footage showing four people and a vehicle, there were acts being

Summary

First published
August 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS563

LOCATION

حمرة بلاسم, Hamra Blassem, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians died and seven were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hamra Blassem, according to local sources. Halab Today, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered and the Syrian Network all blamed the Coalition, putting the death toll at four. According to Syria News Desk – which also

Summary

First published
March 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 men)
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS979

LOCATION

شارع القوتلي, Al Kuwati street, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, “the SDF shelled several neighbourhoods in the city with artillery shells, mortars and rockets killing eight civilians, including three children and their mother, in Al-Quwatli Street and east of the Post Center.” Sharqiya Voice reported that “YPG militia” used “mortars” on Al Quwatli street, but made no mention of

Summary

First published
June 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(0–3 children0–1 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1336

LOCATION

حي الاماسي, Al Amassi, Raqqa, Syria

Two adult male civilians and up to two children were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their home in Raqqa’s al Amassi neighbourhood, local media reported. In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS headquarters multistory building. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed and two civilians

Summary

First published
August 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(1–2 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
0–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1504

LOCATION

المرور, Al Mourour neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians, died following suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Mourour neighbourhood in the south of Raqqa city. An unknown number of others were alleged wounded by local sources. According to Al Araby the strikes hit residential buildings in the area. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.  

Summary

First published
September 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 women2 men)
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
4 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 10, 2018

Incident Code

CS1711

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to Lawhat Bukmalna, “Coalition air strikes targeted several positions of Iranian groups in the city of Abu Kamal. There were reports of civilian deaths”. Lawhat Bukmalna went on to report that the following sites were struck: Near al Hajana Near the school of Zeinab The Tuweiba area The Mosque of al Mustafa The area

Summary

First published
January 10, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child1 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI193

LOCATION

الفتحة, Fatha, Nineveh, Iraq

Four civilians were reported killed and two injured during an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Fatha north of Mosul according to Al Araby, which said the bodies were transfered to a local morgue. No additional information is presently available. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they

Summary

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

September 30, 2016

Incident Code

CS322

LOCATION

بادية هجين, Hajin Desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three or four civilian fuel truck drivers were reported killed along with a number of Daesh fighters, in the Hajin Desert area of Deir Ezzor. In September 2020, the Coalition admitted that a strike had been conducted on September 30th 2016 against “Daesh equipment”, killing at least three civilians According to blogger Hamad al Ramadan,

Summary

First published
September 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2016

Incident Code

CS394

LOCATION

قرطبة, Qortoba, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians were killed in a reported afternoon airstrike on Qortoba village, as a heavy Coalition/ SDF campaign against ISIL continued. Al A’Amaq Media reported two deaths initially. According to Syria News Desk, “Coalition aircraft bombed three houses in the centre of Qahtaniyah, killing four civilians including a child, and injuring more than 14 others,

Summary

First published
November 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
7–14
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS1457 RS2419

LOCATION

Abu Kamal, al Suwei’ya bridge, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four named civilians were reported killed in a Coalition airstrike in Abu Kamal, local media reported. Smart reported raids “targeted an apartment building near the bridge”, identified by a correspondent for Jisr TV as “Suwayyah” bridge 120km east of Deir Ezzor, next to the prison where a major civilian casualty incident took place the same

Summary

First published
September 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1–4 men)
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1658 RS2669

LOCATION

السكرية, Al Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four civilians – two women and two girls – died in an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of al Sukkariya, local media reported. It was unclear who was responsible, though one source attributed the event to Russia. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “four citizen women including two girls were killed as a

Summary

First published
November 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children2 women)
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2018

Incident Code

CS1805

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian house was reported destroyed in a Coalition airstrike on al Soussa. Two media reports said that non-combatants died. A tweet by @ashameree199 described “A raid by the International Coalition against the house and shops of Mr. Rafie al-Ghannam, which is inhabited by the families of fighters of the organization’ [IS]  with Iraqi nationality,

Summary

First published
October 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2014

Incident Code

CS030

LOCATION

Deir Ez Zor Oil Collection Point, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An internal Coalition report noted that civilians may have been killed near an oil collection point in Deir Ez Zor. The Coalition assessed the incident as non-credible: “Open source video indicated that three civilians were killed in a deliberate strike on an oil collection point in DeZ. 13 Nov 2014: Review could not determine that

Summary

First published
November 13, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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 3, 2015

Incident Code

CS073

LOCATION

أم حجرة, Umm Hajarah, Al Hassakah, Syria

Three civilian men were reported killed in a combined ground and air assault on the village of Umm Hajra. The Hassakah Youth Union blamed the attack jointly on Kurdish ground forces – which it said had mortared the town – as well as Coalition airstrikes: “This is even though the village is free from the

Summary

First published
June 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS627

LOCATION

سد الفرات, Euphrates Dam, Raqqa, Syria

The Director of the Euphrates Dam and two other staff members died in declared Coalition airstrikes a mile away from the dam on March 27, 2017, according to local sources. Baladi reported that “the director of the Euphrates Dam and his technical assistant were killed and a number of other technicians were injured as a

Summary

First published
March 27, 2017
Last updated
January 25, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
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.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS737

LOCATION

دبسي عفنان, Debsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria

Between one and three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Debsi Afnan, according to local sources. The Smart News Agency reported the death of one non-combatant and injury of two more in a Coalition raid. However, according to Qasioun, three civilians died. It also pointed towards the Coalition.

Summary

First published
April 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 men)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS1439

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Three men were documented as victims of suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City. The specific location of the incident was not reported, though all sources blamed the US-led Coalition. Further information will be added to the entry when it arises.  

Summary

First published
September 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1641

LOCATION

الملعب الاسود, Ar Raqqah: Baladi stadium, Raqqa, Syria

Raqqa RWB reported that three bodies were recovered near Al Mala’ab (the stadium) in Raqqa, though it was unclear at which point during the Raqqa campaign the deaths occurred. According to the report the “initial response team” was unable to identify the names due to “SDF prohibiting filming and getting close to the area“. In

Summary

First published
October 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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