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

October 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS1569

LOCATION

al Qitar Street north of city centre, Raqqa, Syria

Up to 45 civilians reportedly died and 15 were wounded following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes to the north of Raqqah city, at the outskirts of the al-Tawassiya area. The victims were “gathered around a water well on Qitar (train) street” collecting water “due to the ongoing water cuts in the city for more than three

Summary

First published
October 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 45
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
14–15
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 26, 2014

Incident Code

CS037

LOCATION

الباب, Aleppo, Syria

An internal CENTCOM review reported unnamed open sources as claiming civilian casualties had occurred as a result of Coalition airstrikes. A provisional review found that there had been no international airstrikes in the vicinity of the city on that date. Airwars researchers later identified coverage from the time of Assad regime attacks on Aleppo on

Summary

First published
December 26, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 45
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS1570

LOCATION

البدو, Ar Raqqah: Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

As many as 44 civilians were killed, from three familes, following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on al Marniadiya Street in al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah, according to local media. The strike reportedly targeted a residential building (pictured). Raqqah is Being Slaughtered Silently identified some victims. However since Amnesty International  conducted on the ground research in Raqqa

Summary

First published
October 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
44
(6–22 children11–15 women11–17 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
26 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Incident Code

CS192

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a second day of airstrikes on Raqqa, 43 civilians were reported killed and 60 injured – though sources are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime – with one report suggesting this may be a Coalition incident. The Daesh agency Al A’maq said there had been nine

Summary

First published
March 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
39 – 43
(5 children7 women)
Civilians reported injured
60
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
Named victims
12 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS738 CS192

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a second day of airstrikes on Raqqa, 43 civilians were reported killed and 60 injured – though sources are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime – with one report suggesting this may be a Coalition incident. The Daesh agency Al A’maq said there had been nine

Summary

First published
March 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
39 – 43
(5 women8 men)
Civilians reported injured
60
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
14 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 31, 2017

Incident Code

CI596

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Two sources reported that dozens of civilians were killed and wounded due to airstrikes and artillery shelling in several neighborhoods in West Mosul. Al Jiser Channel referred to Al Amaq [ISIL press agency] and said 43 died and 35 were injured. Yaqein said dozens died in airstrikes on the neighbourhoods of 17 July, Zanjili and

Summary

First published
March 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
43
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

CI562

LOCATION

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press sources said that 43 civilians were killed in airstrikes and missile shelling by the International Coalition and Iraqi forces in Zanjili neighbourhood, in the west of Mosul. Mosul Eye reported: “Mosul witnessed 20/3/2017 wave of casualties in a large number, and the initial outcome that we were able to collect was

Summary

First published
March 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
43
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 8, 2016

Incident Code

CI365

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

Yaqein reported that more than 40 civilians, including civilians, were killed in Iraqi government bombing. Citing a source, they said that there were 42 victims. Al Hadath, citing the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, also cited government airstrikes in Tel Abtah, but said that they killed 42 terrorists, and destroyed three cars, one carrying members of

Summary

First published
December 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
42
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1611

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In Raqqa, at least 28 and as many as 42 civilians from seven families displaced from Palmyra, Deir Ezzor and Raqqa were killed as an alleged Coalition air strike destroyed the building they were sheltering in, multiple local and international media reported. Among the killed were at least ten women and five children. This strike

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
28 – 42
(5–11 children9–10 women6–13 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
42 named, 7 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI641

LOCATION

باب سنجار, Mosul, Bab-Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents told the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights that 42 members of the well-known family of Ghanim Sobhiya died after an airstrike hit their 16-room house in Bab-Sinjar neighbourhood in the old part of Mosul, at dawn on April 15th. Sources reported that the family of Ghanim’s brother had also gathered in the house.

Summary

First published
April 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
42
(6–11 children5 women2 men)
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, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2017

Incident Code

CI449

LOCATION

Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that between 20 and 42 civilians were killed, including women and children, and dozens injured after Coalition airstrikes and governmental forces targeted residential neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul. While Iraq Amsi spoke of “about 20 civilians dead and wounded”, Iraqi Spring put the death toll much higher, at 42, and

Summary

First published
February 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 42
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI202

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Up to 41 civilians were allegedly killed and 53 injured in an airstrike on Hawijah which was said to have struck the city’s main market and hospital. The Daesh-linked Al A’amaq Agency initially reported the “Killing of four [civilians] and the wounding of 10 – most of them women and children – in an air

Summary

First published
March 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
41
Civilians reported injured
53
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 28, 2016

Incident Code

CS285

LOCATION

الغندورة, Al Ghandoura, Aleppo, Syria

At least 22 civilians were killed in a Coalition airstrike on the village of al Ghandourra. According to Syria Newsdesk, the noon strikes hit the main market and the elementary school in the town, which was occupied by so-called ISIL. The US later admitted to inadvertently killing 15 civilians in the incident, claiming that “the

Summary

First published
July 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
22 – 41
(3–10 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
25–40
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
19 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 8, 2018

Incident Code

CS1825

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the town of Hajin, which according to local reports resulted in the deaths of between 12 and as many as 40 civilian casualties. Halab Today TV reported that “Coalition aircraft carried out more than 50 air raids on the city of the Hajin, east of the Euphrates, on Thursday evening [Nov

Summary

First published
November 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 41
(17 children)
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

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

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1389

LOCATION

Al Jazza'a, Al Hassakah, Syria

In a major civilian casualty incident, between 15 and 41 people reportedly died following an alleged US-led Coalition strike on Al Jazza’a [or al-Helo] village. The civilians were leaving Asr prayer at the village mosque when they were hit, local media sources reported. According to Hasaka Rasd and multiple other sources, “the village was not

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21 – 41
(3 children2 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
11 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2016

Incident Code

CI379

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that up to 41 civilians died and a further 143 were injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes on eastern Mosul neighbourhoods in support of a renewed push to capture the city from ISIL. Iraqi Spring placed the death toll at 41, while MNN said at least 30 died. In its February 2017 civilian

Summary

First published
December 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30 – 41
Civilians reported injured
143
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

September 9, 2015

Incident Code

CS123

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria

Up to 20 adult civilians were reported killed and injured alongside 15 children after Coalition aircraft reportedly bombed forcibly-engaged civilians who were being forced to dig ditches by Islamic State. The children reportedly belonged to ISIL’s Cubs of Al Khilafa youth organisation. The casualties occurred in the morning at the village of Krin, west of

Summary

First published
September 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30 – 40
(15 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
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS177

LOCATION

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria

Alleged Coalition airstrikes on three or four Daesh-controlled villages killed 15 civilians including three children, according to both the Syrian Observatory and the Hassakah Youth Movement. In a later report, the Damascus Center noted: “On the afternoon [of Wednesday 17th February 2016), planes likely to be the Coalition launched more than ten air strikes, affecting

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 40
(3 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
70
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, 6 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS863

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 15 and 40 civilians including two to five children and one to three women died, and up to 15 more were injured, in airstrikes on multiple locations in Al Mayadeen. Local sources were initially conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition, Iraqi warplanes or Russia. However, in April 2018 the

Summary

First published
May 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 40
(2–5 children2–3 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
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

April 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS673

LOCATION

شعيب الذكر, Sho'aib Al Zakir, Raqqa, Syria

Up to 40 civilians including a woman and her six children died after their boat sank while it was crossing the Euphrates River near Sho’aib Al-Zikir. While most local sources blamed the UIS-led Coalition, one news organisation said the boat had instead capsized because there were too many people onboard. The Smart News Network reported:

Summary

First published
April 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 40
(6 children1–7 women)
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 3, 2018

Incident Code

CS1721

LOCATION

البحرة, Al Bahra village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Multiple local sources reported up to 40 civilians killed, including up to 20 named children and at least 13 women, and “dozens” wounded in a major casualty event in Al Bahra on February 4th. All sources identify the Coalition as the culprit or – as with the Enabbaladi local report – specifically mentioned “indiscriminate US

Summary

First published
February 4, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
38 – 40
(7–21 children13–20 women3–7 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
40 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 15, 2016

Incident Code

CS313 RS1266

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In what was widely reported as a Russian action, at least 27 civilians died and more than 70 were injured following airstrikes on Al Mayadeen. Almost all sources including Daesh blamed Russia. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered said 6 Russian planes carried out 20 strikes between them, including on a children’s playground. Shaam News added

Summary

First published
September 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility, School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
27 – 40
(9 children4–8 women)
Civilians reported injured
70
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
24 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 23, 2017

Incident Code

CI660

LOCATION

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

Local sources reported that airstrikes on Tammuz (17 July) neighbourhood in West Mosul killed and injured forty civilians, in a dawn attack. Iraqyoon said that two neighbourhoods were hit, noting that “an aerial bombardment targeted the neighborhoods of July 17 ( Tammuz ) and al-Rifa’i, West Mosul.” Mosul News Agency blamed the Coalition. Other sources

Summary

First published
April 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 40
Civilians reported injured
2–40
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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

May 19, 2016

Incident Code

CI239

LOCATION

معسكر الغزلاني, Mosul, Ghazlani, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source, Yaqen, claimed that 40 civilians were killed and injured in Coalition airstrikes on Mosul. According to the local news group, “A source said that ‘the bombing targeted areas of the Ghazlai camp project as well as the University of Mosul, and the shelling was followed by another bombing which targeted the same

Summary

First published
May 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 40
Civilians reported injured
10–30
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
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

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI612

LOCATION

معيوف, Mayouf, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that more than forty people were killed in unspecified airstrikes on the village of Mayouf, north west of Mosul. According to a report published by Al Arabi, “A local source said that an aerial bombardment targeted last night and blew up a number of houses in the village of Mayouf in the

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
34 – 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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1531

LOCATION

Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Between 21 and 40 civilians, the majority women and children, were reported killed in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah city. Initially the citizen journalist group, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS), reported 40 civilians were killed following alleged US-led Coalition. According to RBSS, the strikes hit an apartment building and all

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21 – 40
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

June 1, 2016

Incident Code

CI245

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

10 to 40 civilians were reported killed, and 13 to 36 injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes in west Mosul. Mosul Eye offered a detailed description of affected neighbourhoods, claiming that airstrikes had hit: “– A home in the Muhammadiyah area near the kindergarten which also damaged neighbours’ houses around it and led to the fall

Summary

First published
June 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 40
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
13–36
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