US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Incident Code

CI819

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, market, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local press sources said that civilians were killed or injured by airstrikes on the market in Al Qaim district west of Anbar. According to Iraq Akhbar, A number of civilians were killed and wounded by a bombing by international coalition aircraft of the market district of Qaim, west of Anbar. Local sources said that the

Summary

First published
August 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

August 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1338

LOCATION

بلدة الكشكية, Kashkiyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Over one hundred child soldiers were killed in an alleged US-led Coalition strike on a training camp of the so-called Islamic State organisation, according to multiple sources. A report by Euphrates Post said, “The coalition warplanes attacked an [ISIS] camp in the town of al-Kashkiya in al-Sha’atiyat district, on the house of Rahim al Thalaj

Summary

First published
August 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 100
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1367

LOCATION

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al Hassakah, Syria

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

Summary

First published
August 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1423

LOCATION

Fardous, Raqqa, Syria

Five family members of a ‘Kazakh ISIS fighter’ (a woman, her two sons and one daughter) died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Fardous in Raqqa, according to local media. Smart reported that “a local source told Smart that the family was made up of a woman and three of her children, and including a

Summary

First published
August 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1451

LOCATION

الدرعية, Ar Raqqah: Dar’iya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Eleven named civilians from two families died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah’s al Diri’ya neighbourhood, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “11 civilians, including 5 children and 3 women, IDPs from Deir Ez-Zour city, killed in International Coalition warplanes fired missiles on al Der’iya neighborhood west of Raqqa

Summary

First published
September 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
(5 children3 women)
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
9 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1477 RS2431

LOCATION

Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two adult male civilians, one child and one woman died in airstrikes on Hatla, according to local media, though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame. The majority of sources, however, pointed to Russia. Munitions recovered at the scene were Russian in origin. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

Summary

First published
September 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child1 woman2–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI850

LOCATION

Huwaija, Kirkuk, Iraq

Local source Yaqin alleged civilians killed and wounded, following Coalition airstrikes on Hawija. According to a well-informed source quoted in the report, “aircraft of the International Coalition bombed three sites in the industrial area of the province of Hawija”, the source added, the bombing resulted in the deaths of a number of dead and wounded

Summary

First published
September 18, 2017
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

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

October 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1557 RS2579

LOCATION

Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between nine and 15 civilians died, including an entire family, following alleged airstrikes in a second reported ‘massacre’ at Abu Kamal in 24 hours. Reports were contested: some sources blamed the Coalition, while others believed Russia were the likely culprit. Many of the known sources did not apportion blame. The strikes were conducted after midnight,

Summary

First published
October 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 15
(2 children4 women7 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
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, Russian Military
Named victims
15 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI864

LOCATION

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to multiple local sources, one named victim died in an airstrike on Al Qaim. One source identified another possible victim, stating that the named civilian was bombed with his cousin in my uncle’s house from the Jagaifa tribe. There are currently no further details on this incident.

Summary

First published
October 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1623

LOCATION

الحسين, Markada/Husayn, Al Hassakah, Syria

Local media reported civilian casualties in the town of Markadah and nearby al Husain village following alleged US-led Coalition strikes. News of civilian deaths came amidst reports of conflict in the area over the past 48 hours. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented violent clashes between the so-called Islamic State organisation and the US-backed

Summary

First published
October 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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

October 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1651

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to Sharqiya Voice, “military aircraft launched several air raids on the city of Hajeen in eastern rural Deir Ezzor. The bombing focused on a number of civilian homes and the vicinity of the public market; there was news of the death of a woman and the wounding of others”. The Syrian Observatory for Human

Summary

First published
October 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–22
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

November 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS1681

LOCATION

سوح الرفاعي, Souh al Rifai camp, Abu Kamal countryside, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians, a father and his two daughters, died and many more were wounded in shelling of a camp for displaced people in the Abu Kamal countryside. It was not clear who was responsible for the incident as no sources apportioned blame. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, unidentified warplanes carried out a

Summary

First published
November 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1713

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Five named civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajeen, sources on the ground said. The earliest report of casualties was on January 13th, though some reports later claimed the event was on the 14th or even the 15th. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “five civilians, including a woman, were killed

Summary

First published
January 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–2 women)
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
5 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 20, 2018

Incident Code

CS1753

LOCATION

هجين/الشعفة, Hajin or al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A local monitor reported that a number of civilians were injured after the towns of Hajin and al Sha’afa were shelled on May 20th. According to Sound and Vision, the “continuous bombardment by French artillery aimed at the city of Hajin and the town of al Sha’afa” harmed non-combatant civilians. The report however failed to

Summary

First published
May 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

July 27, 2018

Incident Code

CS1785

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Multiple sources reported that two brothers were killed by alleged Coalition strikes on al Soussa. Most local sources identified the two civilians as Saleh Khalif al-Hassan and Falih Khalif al-Hassan. Most sources also identified the Coalition as the culprit and noted that the airstrikes had struck the brothers’ house. Baladi News mentioned that other civilians

Summary

First published
July 27, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2018

Incident Code

CS1807

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source alleged that several dozen prisoners being held by Islamic State were killed when their prison was struck by the US-led Coalition or its allies the SDF. The Facebook site Exiles of the Euphrates claimed the following: “An old and sly policy of Daesh – when you want to lose a village or

Summary

First published
October 10, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS4254a

LOCATION

مزرعة الرشيد, Al Rashid Farm, Raqqa, Syria

In a series of raids on the towns of Rashid and Aweij in the countryside of Raqqa, an alleged Coalition airstrike struck Al Rashid Farm. Four civilians were reported killed in strike, including a woman, and six others were wounded. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were

Summary

First published
January 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 woman)
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

November 7, 2016

Incident Code

TS006 CS364

LOCATION

قرية قباسين, Al Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria

One named civilian male was reported by both Halab News Network and the Violations Documentation Centre as having been killed by ‘Coalition’ strikes or shelling at Al Qabasin, Syria. However Turkish forces and their FSA allies may also have been responsible, according to other local reports. TR Diplomacy tweeted a map on the 7th, reporting that

Summary

First published
November 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 14, 2016

Incident Code

RS905 CS230

LOCATION

‏السموقة‬, Jisr Samouqa, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Samouqa, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the US-led Coalition. Aleppo24, @ALAMAWI, Al Mukhtassar and Nabd Syria blamed Russia. Aleppo 24 reported: “A family made up of 7 people killed and 3 other civilians killed

Summary

First published
June 14, 2016
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
Unknown, US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 26, 2014

Incident Code

CI013

LOCATION

عوينات, Uwaynat, Nineveh, Iraq

There were claims that coalition air raids resulted in the deaths of between 10 and 20 civilians in a village 110km northwest of Mosul called Aouinat. Al Rafidain reported: “Press sources in Mosul confirmed that the bombing, which targeted the village of Aouinat killed ten civilians and destroyed at least two houses. The forensic medicine

Summary

First published
October 26, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 20
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2019

Incident Code

CS1942

LOCATION

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Around ten people were killed and an unknown number wounded in alleged Coalition artillery strikes that reportedly targeted Iranian and Lebanese militias in the city of Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, on December 25th, 2019, according to local sources. It is unclear if those killed were civilians or belligerents. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

Summary

First published
December 25, 2019
Last updated
July 7, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 3
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Belligerents reported killed
7–10
Belligerents reported injured
2
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

December 3, 2021

Incident Code

CS1973

LOCATION

المسطومة, Al-Mastouma, Idlib, Syria

At least one young man was killed and between six and seven civilians, including up to four children, were injured in a declared US drone strike on the Al-Mastouma Ariha road on December 3rd, 2021. Sources are conflicted as to whether the young man killed was an active or former member of the Guardians of

Summary

First published
December 3, 2021
Last updated
May 1, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Civilians reported injured
6–7
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 Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda/HTS
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
Belligerents reported killed
1–2
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI041

LOCATION

حديثة, Haditha, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources in Haditha reported that up to 15 civilians were killed and an unknown number were injured after an alleged coalition airstrike hit Albu Haiyat mosque at midday prayers. Al Iraq News stated that among those killed were captured “members of the Iraqi security forces who are were being guarded at the mosque.” However

Summary

First published
February 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 15
(1–10 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 26, 2015

Incident Code

CS064

LOCATION

متراس, Mitras, Aleppo, Syria

Reported Coalition airstrikes at 11 am on the village of Mitras killed three civilians, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.  These were identified as an adult male, a teenager and a child. This event bears a resemblance to an April 19th incident at the same location (CS063) in that the victims are from

Summary

First published
April 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI076

LOCATION

Mahmoudiya, Kirkuk, Iraq

Although reporting was confused, there were claims of a fresh coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Hawija which killed a number of civilians. A Facebook page calling itself Hawija Now said that five women and 2 children died in the nearby village of Mahmoudiya. One extremely graphic image appears to show a woman survivor of

Summary

First published
June 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(2 children5 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
View Incident

Incident date

July 25, 2015

Incident Code

CS106

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source, the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies, reported that Ahmad al Awad had died in what was described as a Coalition strike at Bukamal. While single source, a Coalition attack was confirmed in the vicinity in daily reports at the time. In its civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on

Summary

First published
July 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
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

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

October 16, 2015

Incident Code

CI123

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to local sources, ten civilians were killed and 23 wounded after Coalition aircraft struck Hit city, in the west of Anbar province. According to Iraqi Revolution a number of civilian homes at Shap Corniche were destroyed in the attack which had targeted Daesh elements, with children reportedly among the victims. One photograph showed a

Summary

First published
October 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
4–33
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident