US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

June 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI752

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition confirmed the death of a civilian in an incident near Mosul in June 2017. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on ISIS fighters engaging partner forces from a fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian, not observed near the target

Summary

First published
June 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI864a

LOCATION

القائم‎, Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident not previously reported, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Al Qaim. Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike against an ISIS weapon’s facility it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” On the same day in Al Qaim, Airwars monitored a

Summary

First published
October 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI233

LOCATION

الشرقاط, Al Shirqat, Salah Al Din, Iraq

US aircraft attacked an ISIS checkpoint in the town of Sharqat. According to a CENTCOM release issued three months later, “it is [now] assessed that one civilian was killed when a motorcycle unexpectedly appeared in the target area after the US aircraft had already released its weapon.” That attack on a checkpoint near the Jumeila

Summary

First published
April 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI050

LOCATION

تل كيف‎, Telkaif, Nineveh, Iraq

Eight civilians including three women were claimed by NINA to have been killed in a coalition airstrike on Telkaif, 20km north of Mosul. A dozen militants also reportedly died in the attack.  

Summary

First published
March 9, 2015
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 11, 2015

Incident Code

CI083

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

There were fresh claims of Coalition-inflicted civilian casualties at Mosul, with 37 non-combatants alleged killed and injured in airstrikes reportedly aimed at disrupting power supplies to the city. According to NINA, the dawn raid “caused a complete interruption of electricity – and some water pumps stopped in the city.” Some hospitals reportedly lost access to

Summary

First published
July 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(3 children7 women)
Civilians reported injured
17
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI116

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

At least 20 civilians were reported killed and up to 31 injured after Coalition (or possibly Iraqi) aircraft allegedly hit the Sunni Wafq state religious affairs building adjacent to one of the largest mosques in Mosul. Aircraft reportedly targeted a meeting of senior Islamic State figures at the Waqf site, which has been taken over

Summary

First published
September 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 29
(2 children3 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
16–34
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 1, 2015

Incident Code

CI148

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple civilian casualties were claimed in Qayyarah after the Coalition was accused of bombing civilian houses in the town. Face Iraq reported that seven children and an elderly woman died in the event, which it said destroyed six houses in the vicinity of the Khader mosque (which some sources said had also been destroyed). Three

Summary

First published
December 1, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 8
(0–7 children0–1 women)
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI180

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

The Iraqi Spring Media Centre claimed that “Coalition fighters” had struck civilians in north-west Ramadi, killing 13 civilians and injuring a further 18. Particular news described the alleged Coalition strike as ‘retaliatory’ though gave no further details while noting that there was also significant material damage to civilian houses in the area. Responding to a

Summary

First published
January 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
18
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 31, 2016

Incident Code

CI212

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed Coalition aircraft struck the Haswa and Jumeila neighbourhoods in Fallujah at around 9.30pm, hitting civilian homes and causing the deaths of five civilians including two children, and the wounding of seven more civilians. Al Sharqiya published the most detailed report, saying that Coalition aircraft strikes “resulted in the deaths of five people,

Summary

First published
March 31, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7
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
7 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI276

LOCATION

الموصل, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Four civilians were reported killed and 24 injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Mosul, as the battle for the ISIL-occupied city intensified. No additional details are presently known. See the following report. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in

Summary

First published
August 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

CI308

LOCATION

طوبزاوة, Tubzawa, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source reported that An adult civilian male killed followed an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Tubzawa. According to a single source, Mr Shihab’s two sons Younis aged 7 and Mustafa aged 2 years old were also severely injured in the incident – and were being treated in the intensive care unit at Irbil

Summary

First published
October 24, 2016
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 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI340

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Airport and Gizlani camp, Nineveh, Iraq

In January 2017 the Coalition issued a statement denying responsibility for alleged civilian casualties in Mosul six weeks earlier. Nov. 15, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike, the Coalition noted. A senior official later informed Airwars that the

Summary

First published
November 15, 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

December 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI373

LOCATION

أحياء النور والفلاح والقدس شر, Mosul, Northeast, Nineveh, Iraq

More than a dozen civilians – and possibly more than 40 – were reported killed in eastern Mosul. Yaqein reported that 15 civilians were killed by a missile on the east side of Mosul, all from the same family – though a source it cited put the death toll lower, at 12. It did not

Summary

First published
December 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 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

January 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI407

LOCATION

حي الضباط, Mosul, Dhubat / Officers, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that three named civilians were killed after alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted near a medical centre in the Officers neighbourhood near the Fourth Bridge. Mosul Ateka named Dr. Mohammed Tayyip ِِAl Leyla, former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and his wife, Dr. Fatima Alhyial and their young daughter as victims of the

Summary

First published
January 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman1 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
View Incident

Incident date

January 26, 2017

Incident Code

CI441

LOCATION

Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 20 civilians were killed and 17 injured – mostly women and children – in Coalition airstrikes on residential areas at the right side of Mosul. Several sources reported that “US strikes” had targeted the neighbourhoods of Dawasa and Farouk, western Mosul.

Summary

First published
January 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17
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

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

CI476

LOCATION

near Mosul, Iraq, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an “NGO report”. According to the Coalition report: “71. Feb. 22, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that

Summary

First published
February 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI508

LOCATION

حي المطاحن, Mosul, Al-Matahin / Mills, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that up to 40 civilians were killed and more than 76 injured, mostly children and women, in Coalition airstrikes on the Station, Mills and Fatah neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul. While Iraqi Spring Media Center blamed the US for carrying out the raids (and posted several graphic images of children

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
36 – 40
(7 children)
Civilians reported injured
76–84
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 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI540

LOCATION

دور موظفي السكك, Mosul, Dur al Sekak, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press source said that five family members were killed in an airstrike targeting their house near the railway. They used to live together in the same house in Dur Al Sekak at the right side of Mosul. It is unclear which aircraft carried out the attack. Shafaaq News reported that the bombing

Summary

First published
March 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 23, 2017

Incident Code

CI574

LOCATION

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local medical sources reportedly claimed that three employees at a Mosul hospital in Shifa neighbourhood were killed when a missile hit the hospital. Shafaaq reported that “A medical source told Ashqaf News that a mortar landed near the first aid hall in the hospital, killing three medical personnel and damaging the hospital.” Another local blog

Summary

First published
March 23, 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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI607

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that twenty civilians were killed and six injured, among them many children, at Tal Afar west of Mosul. All claimed that the US or the Coalition was responsible, although Iraq Air Force aircraft had also struck the town. Iraqi Spring Media Center posted several graphic photos, picturing the aftermath of the strikes

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI640

LOCATION

ريحانة, Rayhana, Al Anbar, Iraq

Two local sources reported that nine civilians were killed and others injured after Coalition airstrikes allegedly hit Rayhana village near Anah, in Anbar province. The exact number of wounded was not determined. Yaqein placed the village 210 km west of Ramadi.

Summary

First published
April 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
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

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

CI672

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Several sources reported that seven civilians died and thirteen were wounded as a result of an airstrike – with sources so far not identifying who carried out the strike. Yaqein noted, however, “that the areas in the West of Anbar province have been exposed for days to military operations fought by the Joint Forces and

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
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, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI707

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq

Residents of West Mosul and local press sources reported that a named civilian – Khaled Nafie Hassan – was killed by mortar shelling on his house in Rifai neighbourhood, West Mosul. He used to work as a health worker/ nurse. It is unclear who was responsible for the raids. Moreover, Ahrar Ninawa (local Facebook group)

Summary

First published
May 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 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
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 31, 2017

Incident Code

CI741

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili and Shifa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that more than twenty civilians were killed or injured after air strikes and artillery shelling hit their homes in Zanjili and Shifa neighborhood, in West Mosul. So far all sources blamed Joint Forces – a reference to both Iraqi and Coalition actions. A source had told Alaraby news that “the Iraqi forces

Summary

First published
May 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 84
(27 children31 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–103
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

June 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI777

LOCATION

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Four named brothers and other family members were killed in an attack in Old Mosul. News of Iraq named four brothers – Othman, Bakr, Omar and Ali – who it said were killed along with “their entire family” by government shelling. See also incident CI778.

Summary

First published
June 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 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, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2017

Incident Code

CI809

LOCATION

القليعات, Al Qaliat, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that despite the recapturing of Mosul by the US-backed Iraqi army, Coalition airstrikes continued to target ISIL positions in Al Qaliat on the outskirts of the city. Ninawa Media Center reported that there were ‘many’ wounded civilians, including women and children, in the area. However, it was not clear airstrikes caused this.

Summary

First published
July 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

September 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI841

LOCATION

Abassi, Kirkuk, Iraq

At least 12 and as many as dozens of civilians were reported killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Abbasi, Huweija in the Tamim province. According to Al-Rafiden the Coalition launched 17 raids on the Huweija area. The Coalition was accused by the outlet of a bombardment on the city, that killed and wounded dozens

Summary

First published
September 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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

October 31, 2017

Incident Code

CI873

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz (near al-Qaiem, Iraq), Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later announced the injuries of two civilians in an event near al Qaim. Their June 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike destroyed Daesh headquarters, two civilians were unintentionally injured.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a

Summary

First published
October 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2014

Incident Code

CI018

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

The FBI informed CENTCOM internally on November 21st 2014 that a source had alleged the deaths of “41 Yezidi captive females killed in a strike on a named OBJ IVO [objective in the vicinity of] Mosul.” The closest strike, number 999, was identified by CENTCOM as having taken place some 3.2km from the site of

Summary

First published
November 19, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
41
(41 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2015

Incident Code

CI030

LOCATION

خزيمة, Aski Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM report identified concerns of civilian fatalities raised by local Nineveh MP Abd al Rahman al-Luwayzi. According to the MP, “Arab families, fleeing the area of Aski Musil were targeted by coalition aircraft, killing or wounding ‘scores of civilians.” The town is situated on the banks of the Tigris River to the north

Summary

First published
January 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident