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

February 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS530

LOCATION

حصيبة, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians died in an airstrike on Abu Kamal, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Iraqi warplanes. RFS Media said that the Coalition carried out a strike, though added that there was so far no reports of civilian casualties. Euphrates

Summary

First published
February 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 1, 2017

Incident Code

CI498

LOCATION

لجامع عمر الاسود في حي الفاروق, Mosul, Omar al-Aswad mosque, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that up to 80 civilians were killed or injured after Coalition or Iraqi airstrikes targeted the Omar mosque area in al-Faruq neighborhood in western Mosul. The mosque was used as a shelter by displaced families, according to the Niniva Media Center. Reuters cited three local witnesses, noting that “The Omar al-Aswad mosque,

Summary

First published
March 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
50 – 80
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
30
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

March 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI518

LOCATION

المنصور, Mosul, Al Mansour, Nineveh, Iraq

There were reports that children and women were killed or injured due to different kinds of shelling and airstrikes on Mansour neighborhood in West Mosul. @shvm_90 said in a Tweet: “Heavy shelling and brutal air and artillery aimed at reviving #right side [of Mosul] and the strongest was on #Mansour neighborhood and the fall of

Summary

First published
March 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 10
(2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 13, 2017

Incident Code

CI535

LOCATION

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

Local residents and press source said that up to 25 civilians were killed, mostly children and women, and 117 wounded due to an ongoing battle in downtown (Central) and Western Mosul. Both shelling and Coalition airstrikes were reported. Local residents and press sources said that airstrikes had heavily targeted the July 17, Rifai, Shifa, Bab

Summary

First published
March 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25 – 30
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
58–117
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

March 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI555

LOCATION

الجوسق, Mosul, Jawasaq, Nineveh, Iraq

In an event previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition said that no civilians were harmed on March 18th at Mosul, Jawasaq. The Coalition’s November 2017 casualty reported said: “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Summary

First published
March 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI569

LOCATION

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Laksh, behind Watan school, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source said that twenty civilians, including women and children, were killed by airstrikes and/ or indiscriminate shelling on the area behind Watan school in Bab Laksh neighbourhood in West of Mosul, on the evening of March 21st-22nd. A family member later posted: “My wife moved to God (passed away) – the daughter of

Summary

First published
March 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(1 child3 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2017

Incident Code

CI581

LOCATION

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

Local residents and press sources said that at least 15 civilians were killed and many more injured, mostly children and elderly people, by alleged Coalition airstrikes near Al Batool hospital in Zanjili. Al Amaq [ISIL press agency] posted a video of the strikes on YouTube. Free journalist (Facebook) posted six graphic photos of several reported

Summary

First published
March 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 85
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–215
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS645

LOCATION

الصفصاف, Al Safsaf, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Network, “two civilians were killed and 15 others were injured by a similar shelling on the village of Safsaf and its farm, near the town of Al-Tabaqa (55 km west of the city of Raqqa)”.  

Summary

First published
March 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS681

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Al Idkar, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian died and seven others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Idkhar at Raqqa according to Alaraby, Sadasham and the Smart News Agency. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Coalition carried out strikes in Raqqa on “the former Political Security building” used as a headquarters by ISIL. It

Summary

First published
April 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS697

LOCATION

هنيدة, Hunayda, Raqqa, Syria

Two children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a school in Hunayda, according to local sources. According to Syrian Mirror, “Field activists said a coalition combat aircraft launched air raids on Hindah town in the western Ar Raqqah countryside, targeting one of the village’s rural schools, killing two children and injuring others.”

Summary

First published
April 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS716

LOCATION

مدرسة البحتري, Tabaqah, al Bahrari school, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, one civilian died and four others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahtari school. One other source, the Free Syria Army, also attributed the incident to the Coalition. It noted that “A civilian was also killed and four others were wounded after an aerial bombardment of

Summary

First published
April 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS745

LOCATION

الفرقة, District 17, Raqqa, Syria

The Smart News Agency reported that “warplanes, believed to belong to the Coalition, targeted a water transport vehicle belonging to the organization [IS], while it was heading to the ’17th Division’, which it controls, killing its driver, who works in the organization’s service brigades and his seven-year-old son”. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child0–1 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS765

LOCATION

هنيدة, Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, likely Coalition warplanes “targeted a a mosque in the town of Hunaida (36 west of the city of Raqqa), killing two civilians and wounding a third seriously.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the Hamada al Elaywi mosque was destroyed in the afternoon Coalition raid. Other sources

Summary

First published
May 3, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS787

LOCATION

حي الاسكندرية, Tabaqah, Ishtiqariyah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in a strike on ISIS headquarters in al Tabaqah. Their August 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS headquarters, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian, who was not observed near

Summary

First published
May 8, 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

May 12, 2017

Incident Code

CI708

LOCATION

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

Multiple local sources and Al’Amaq [ISIL press agency] reported that up to 108 civilians were killed and 265 were wounded due to artillery shelling and airstrikes by the international Coalition, the Iraqi Joint Forces and popular militia over a number of days. A medical source had told Yaqein Agency in a press statement that “108

Summary

First published
May 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30 – 108
Civilians reported injured
265
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, Iraq Irregular Forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 17, 2017

Incident Code

CI719

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple local sources reported that a family of four brothers and their uncle, as well as a man with his son, and a woman, were killed in Rifae neighborhood after missiles and airstrikes hit the area. The raids took place in the street near the Mufti Mosque, in front of the medical clinic, and near

Summary

First published
May 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(1 woman)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS854

LOCATION

دبسي عفنان, Dibsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria

One woman and one girl were reportedly killed in Dabsi Afnan in Raqqa governorate, roughly 30km west of Tabaqah, but it was contested who was responsible. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and the Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged that the Coalition was responsible for the airstrikes, while Mohab Nasser, Euphrates Post and several

Summary

First published
May 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(1 child1 woman)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS880

LOCATION

حارة البدو, Al Badou, Raqqa, Syria

An unspecified number of civilians died and one named civilian was injured in airstrikes and/or an artillery bombardment on Raqqa’s Bado neighbourhood, according to local sources. Mohammed Amiro was named as injured when an artillery shell fell behind the Directorate of Water in the Bado neighbourhood – though sources didn’t identify the culprit. RFS reported

Summary

First published
May 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
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

June 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS930

LOCATION

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to Asharqiya Voice “an air raid targeting al Mayadeen killed a displaced man from the city of Deir Ezzor.” The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported “that three warplanes carried out three raids on the town of Al-Mayadin in the eastern countryside of Deir Al-Zour. The first two raids targeted a pre-fabricated area, while

Summary

First published
June 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(0–1 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI757

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple local sources reported that Iraqi forces found a child alone in a house in Zanjili neighbourhood, who had survived the shelling while his entire family was found dead inside. @nbras_almamory said “US planes” were responsible for the strike. Other sources, however, did not say who carried out the raids.

Summary

First published
June 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
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 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI763

LOCATION

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Al-Taqwa Mosque, Nineveh, Iraq

Eight Iraqi police were accidentally injured and one or two killed following an airstrike, according to multiple sources. According to Yaqein, “a government source said in a statement that ‘the fourth regiment of the Ninewa Emergency Police headed to support the federal police in the area of ​​Wadi Akab in west Mosul, adding that as

Summary

First published
June 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(12–19 children1 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 17, 2017

Incident Code

CI766

LOCATION

Mosul, Al Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th, 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “112. June 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: The report contains insufficient information of the time, location

Summary

First published
June 17, 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

June 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS1049

LOCATION

مساكن الادخار, al Idkhar residences, Raqqa, Syria

Six civilians were killed and several others were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes or guided missile strikes on residences in Al Idkhar in west Raqqa, local sources reported. The attack was said to have taken place after midnight. Six of the nine sources which reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. In February

Summary

First published
June 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
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

June 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1072

LOCATION

ﻤﺪﺭﺳﺔ ﻋﺪﻧﺎﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺎﻟﻜﻲ, Ar Raqqah (Adnan al Maliki School, unknown location), Raqqa, Syria

Eight civilians, including between five and seven children, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike near Adnan al Maliki School in Raqqa, local sources reported. Al Hasaka Arabea and Step News Agency alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Raqqa Ahluna blamed the US-led Coalition for the death of five children. It reported that their names were

Summary

First published
June 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(5–7 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

June 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1102

LOCATION

near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria

In October 2017, the Coalition reported it had unintentionally injured two civilians: “(6.) June 26, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via media report. During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally injured.” It is possible that this incident matches with one of

Summary

First published
June 26, 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

June 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1126

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian male killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported. All three sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are presently known. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating

Summary

First published
June 30, 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

July 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1152

LOCATION

ابوحامضة, Abu Hamda, Al Hassakah, Syria

Seven civilians were killed as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on the village of Abu Hamda in Al Hasaka, local sources reported. Al Hasaka Center Media reported that the airstrikes targeted the house of Ahmad al Alawi and that those killed were internally displaced refugees from the villages of Al Dhib and al Thaweebah.

Summary

First published
July 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
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

July 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS1180

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah: Multiple locations, Raqqa, Syria

Thirteen civilians died and 2 more were wounded in alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes on neighbourhoods in Raqqa, local media reported. According to the Smart News Agency, “Coalition aircraft and artillery shelled the neighborhoods of Al Diriyah, Al Nahda, Al Rawda, al Panorama area, Shehata, and Saif al Dawla street near al Dalla roundabout,

Summary

First published
July 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
22
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

July 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1237 RS2353

LOCATION

قرية الجبلي, Al Jabli, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian male and a female were killed following airstrikes in the Al Jabli village in Raqqa governorate. However, it was contested as to who was responsible, with some sources blaming Russia, while others blamed the US-led Coalition. Al Sabkha reported on the “martyrdom of the sister Khadija Yousef Al-Hamoud Al-Akla was resident in her

Summary

First published
July 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 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, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1269

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, near Al-Arbaeen Street, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least five civilians and possibly dozens more were killed and more than 17 wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Mayadin, according to local sources. 7al.net reported: “Saad al-Hamad, a resident of the city of Al-Mayadeen, told Al-Hilal’s website that the international coalition aircraft carried out more than four raids in the center of the

Summary

First published
July 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 24
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
17
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident