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

July 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1268

LOCATION

حي الدرعية, Dari’eya, Raqqa, Syria

Seven civilians from the same family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Dari’eya neighbourhood. According to Baladi, the victims died when their home was struck by the Coalition. Shahbapress added that an unspecified number of other civilians were injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who also attributed the event to the Coalition,

Summary

First published
July 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(3 children2 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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1297

LOCATION

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On July 29, 2017, several civilians were reportedly wounded in an airstrike on the main road to Al-Mayadin garage, local media reported, though it was unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were responsible for the incident. Radio AlKul reported that “several civilians were injured by flying cluster bombs near the garage in Al Mayadin”.

Summary

First published
July 29, 2017
Last updated
June 26, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS1324

LOCATION

معيزيلة, Maizeela, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that an airstrike on an oil tanker killed the driver and “lightly” wounded two other civilians near Maizeela in the southern countryside of Abu Kamal. Only one source, Al Natek Network, said that the Coalition carried out the strike. Other reports didn’t apportion blame.

Summary

First published
August 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1383 ISSY001

LOCATION

الشجرة, Al Shajra, Daraa, Syria

Up to 27 civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on the town of Al Shajra in western Daraa. According to Daraa Martyrs Documentation Center, 32 “mostly civilians” were killed when positions of Jaish Khalid bin Walid, a Salafi jihadist group, were targeted. The report claimed that the Coalition launched a long-range missile, which “targeted the

Summary

First published
August 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 27
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Israeli Military
Suspected target
Other
Belligerents reported killed
5
View Incident

Incident date

August 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1418

LOCATION

The National Hospital, Raqqa, Syria

Sources initially reported three people were killed following alleged US-led Coalition air strikes on The National (Al Watani) Hospital in Raqqa. Subsequent reports identified nine victims. Mohammad Jom’a al Taha (b. 1951), an agricultural engineer, and two of his sons, were killed in the offensive. According to sources the family was displaced people from Deir

Summary

First published
August 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(2 children1 woman2 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
8 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1446

LOCATION

Al Naim roundabout, Raqqa, Syria

Between 12 and 14 people, including women and children, reportedly died in suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City’s Naim roundabout area. According to local reports, the Coalition targeted downtown Raqqa close to the al Naim roundabout where civilians were present, reportedly injuring “dozens” in addition those killed. Wagea news said “International Alliance aircraft” was

Summary

First published
September 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 14
(2 children4 women)
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

September 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS1472

LOCATION

Al Dasheisha, Al Hassakah, Syria

Three civilians were reported “seriously wounded” following an “aerial bombardment” by the US-led Coalition, local sources alleged. The raid reportedly took place at Al Dashisha village 35km southeast of al Shaddadi. According to Baladi, “shelling that targeted the village, caused the destruction of shops” and “other rockets targets the warehouses of grain causing an outbreak

Summary

First published
September 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1501

LOCATION

Abu Kamal, Al Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Nine houses were allegedly targeted in airstrikes on al Sukkariya village, according to multiple local sources, @albokalnews suspected this indicated “dozens of civilian martyrs”. However reporting was confused with another alleged incident at al Baghouz (S1329) with no breakdown of casualties. Fresh Syria named the US-led Coalition as the culprit, and asserted that an unknown

Summary

First published
September 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

September 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1526

LOCATION

Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, Raqqa24 and the Shaam News Netowork, a number of civilians were killed and wounded when they were hit with artillery shells as they gathered to collect water in Raqqah’s al Badou neighbourhood. Athr Press attributed the event to ground forces, saying that “four civilians were killed and others

Summary

First published
September 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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, Syrian Democratic Forces, ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1552

LOCATION

Al Zubari, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian died and at least three were injured in airstrikes on Al Zubari, according to local media – though it was unclear who carried out the attack. Most sources didn’t apportion blame, though one said that Russia had bombed the town. According to the Smart News Agency, “a civilian was killed and others were

Summary

First published
September 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–10
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, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1586

LOCATION

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One person died in an aerial offensive that targeted the river crossing in al Mayadeen, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. News of the civilian casualty came amid numerous reports of Russian actions in the area, @m_eelwahed described “Russian raids” with phosphorous which led to the outbreak of fires in several neighbourhoods of the

Summary

First published
October 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 10, 2017

Incident Code

CI868

LOCATION

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

In December 2017, the Coalition reported having unintentionally killed a civilian in an event previously unreported by Airwars. It stated: “Oct. 10, 2017 near Al Qaim, Iraq via self-report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed a building being used as an ISIS headquarters it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when they inadvertently

Summary

First published
October 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1647

LOCATION

البصيرة, Al Busayrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians died in al Busayrah, according to local media – though it was unclear who was responsible. The majority of sources, however, attributed the event to Moscow. Euphrates Post reported by name the death of one civilian male as a result of airstrikes targeted the al Busayrah. RFS Media Office blamed Russia, reporting that

Summary

First published
October 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1676

LOCATION

ابو حمام, Abu Haman, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Euphrates Post, the Syrian Democratic Forces carried out an artillery bombardment on Abu Hamam. It said that there had been civilian casualties but didn’t specify a number. Al Qouriya Media Center provided some more detail. It reported that “artillery shelling targeted a family from al-Qouriya, the family of Hussein al-Ali al-Sayer al-Hamad.

Summary

First published
November 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–13
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, Syrian Democratic Forces
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2018

Incident Code

CS1739

LOCATION

.السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source reported on the shelling of Al Soussa on March 8th, which allegedly resulted in “a number of civilian casualties”. According to 7al, the same shelling that targeted Hajin had also struck al Soussa in the countryside of Abu Kamal, killing or injuring a number of civilians. The site noted the following: “The

Summary

First published
March 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 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

Incident date

June 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1769

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to local sources, up to four civilians, including women and children, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Baghouz Foqani. Step News Agency reported that two women and one girl were killed and another person injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights however stated that in fact two children and one woman

Summary

First published
June 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1–3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
6–13
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

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1269 CS314

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians reportedly died in an air raid on Maskanah which most sources said involved cluster munitions. Egypt Today put the death toll at five, “including a woman and her two daughters and her child”. Reportedly, the strikes injured up to 12 civilians, including six children. While most reports blamed Russia, Baladi News claimed

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
15 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2018

Incident Code

CS1823

LOCATION

الشعفة و, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Multiple local sources named three children as killed and “many” more civilians wounded in an alleged Coalition air or artillery strike on Al Shaafa on November 3, 2018. Some sources reported that the airstrike targeted a house in a residential neighbourhood. Euphrates Post for example reported: “The killing of three children, the children of Imad

Summary

First published
November 3, 2018
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2018

Incident Code

CS1857

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin , Deir Ezzor, Syria

A named male civilian was reported killed in a confirmed Coalition air or artillery strike on Hijan when it struck his home. All sources blamed the Coalition for the event. Some sources reported that the incident was on November 24th and others on the 25th. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the Coalition

Summary

First published
November 24, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

January 24, 2019

Incident Code

CS1892

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source reported that a named child originally from the city of Mohsen, and named as Omar Basim al-Aliwi, died from wounds sustained “several days ago” in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Baghouz. Airwars has therefore placed the date range of this reported event as January 24th-26th. No other details are

Summary

First published
January 24, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1425b

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Boulil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that a Coalition airstrike struck an ISIS vehicle, killing two young men who had previously been arrested and forced to join ISIS. Two members of ISIS guarding them were also killed in the attack. The source reported that increasing numbers of young men were forcibly

Summary

First published
August 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS354 CS164

LOCATION

عين عيسى, `Ayn `Isa, Raqqa, Syria

A strike by aircraft reportedly killed five civilians. Syria News attributed the attack to Russia, while Ara News said it was a Coalition action. VDC – which attributed the attack to the regime – named five victims. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian

Summary

First published
January 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 children1 man)
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1163a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’ joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, 11 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes 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 by Amnesty/Airwars stated that

Summary

First published
July 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(4 children1 woman2 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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2014

Incident Code

CS007

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

The US (possibly with Jordan and/or the UAE) bombed grain silos near Manjib. While CENTCOM insisted that the grain facilities were occupied by Islamic State forces, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that only civilians – workers at the silos – had been killed, although militants were also wounded. According to the Syrian

Summary

First published
September 28, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
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 30, 2020

Incident Code

CI881

LOCATION

بين أبو زوير وحدود حي الحديثة, Between Abu Zuwair and the Al Haditha district border, Salah Al Din, Iraq

Up to four civilians were reported killed in Abu Zuwair, Baiji in Iraq on June 30th, 2020 when a US-led coalition drone bombed them after they carried wreckage of a US-led coalition drone that had crashed earlier on that day. Local reports said that the raid resulted in killing up to four shepherds and the

Summary

First published
June 30, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2–4 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
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2015

Incident Code

CI033

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

The previously-secret CENTCOM file also noted reports by redacted “prominent anti-ISIL Twitter users” that “civilians are being killed in the bombardment.” With so few details to go on, CENTCOM concluded that there was “insufficient evidence to determine date and time of any specific allegation.”

Summary

First published
January 24, 2015
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

December 20, 2022

Incident Code

CS1989

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians, including a woman and a child, were reportedly injured in declared British drone strikes on the city of al-Bab on December 20, 2022. An alleged member of ISIS was also injured in the operation. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a Yemeni person was severely injured by a drone

Summary

First published
December 20, 2022
Last updated
March 29, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
UK Military
Known target
ISIS
Geolocation
Exact location (other)
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI440

LOCATION

الدواسة, Mosul: West, Nineveh, Iraq

There were claims that up to 34 civilians died and 20 or more were injured following Coalition or Iraqi strikes on western Mosul. The Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that airstrikes had targeted residential neighborhoods and killed 32 people, including women and children. Yaqein news also put the death toll at 32. Shebab newsagency said

Summary

First published
January 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
27 – 32
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
5–20
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

June 5, 2015

Incident Code

CI071

LOCATION

عنه, Anah al Jadidah, Al Anbar, Iraq

A young man, Mustafa Tarif Habib al-Ani (pictured below) was reportedly killed along with three or four of his relatives in an alleged coalition airstrike. According to the Iraqi Spring site, the family home was struck “near Rabe’e Sooq in the Rasil Gharbi area of Anah district, in western Anbar.”  

Summary

First published
June 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(3 women1 man)
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