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 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1216 RS2346

LOCATION

الكشكية, Al Kashkiya, school building, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Seven civilians were killed – including five civilians believed to be from one family – and a number of others were injured in airstrikes on the village of Al Kashkiya in eastern Deir Ezzor.  However it was contested as to who was responsible. Four sources – Radio al Kul, Micro News, Smart News Agency and

Summary

First published
July 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 9
(1–3 children1–2 women1 man)
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, Russian Military, Unknown
Named victims
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1282

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Up to 48 civilians died and 40 were injured in alleged air and artillery strikes by the Coalition and the SDF in Raqqa, according to local media. However, sources did not specify the locations for these deaths and these are therefore general numbers. Additionally, one source Watan reported that there had been Russian actions in

Summary

First published
July 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
48
Civilians reported injured
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, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

July 31, 2017

Incident Code

CS1309 RS2377

LOCATION

دبلان, Dablan, Ta'as, area behind the mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria

More than five civilians were wounded in an airstrike on a water tank behind the mosque in the Ta’as area of Dablan, according to local media – though only once source said that the Coalition was responsible, with others not apportioning blame. According to Euphrates Post, “The military aircraft launched several simultaneous air strikes with

Summary

First published
July 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
5
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1365

LOCATION

near Imam al-Nawawi mosque, Raqqa, Syria

Multiple local sources reported the death of a female civilian after alleged US-led Coalition artillery strikes that hit the street of the family home near the Imam Al Nawawi Mosque, Raqqa City. The woman killed has been identified as Khansaa Mohammed Qantar. However, this victim is also named in incident CS1361, reportedly killed by artillery

Summary

First published
August 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1393

LOCATION

Al Sa'a, Raqqa, Syria

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported that two civilians died following airstrikes on Raqqa. Ibrahim Ali al-Bakar (born 1954) and his son Khalil Ibrahim al-Bakar (born 1985) were named as the victims. RBSS blamed the US-led Coalition for the incident. According to a Facebook post by Amer Alywy the father and son were killed

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1421

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two infants were reported killed along with their mother after “bombing” and “shelling” of Raqqa city. A Tweet by @AhmadShibli blamed the US-led Coalition for the attack, however, the majority of other sources did not specify an actor. The city of Raqqa was reportedly “besieged by International Coalition aircraft” at the time of the incident.

Summary

First published
August 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1449

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike in Raqqa City, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. There is no additional information known at present.

Summary

First published
September 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1475

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians, father and son died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa city – or as a result of ISIS actions in the city. Discrepancies in the sources show Revolutionary Command Council in the city of Palmyra and Death page suspected the the men were executed by members of the so-called Islamic State organization.

Summary

First published
September 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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, ISIS
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1504

LOCATION

المرور, Al Mourour neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians, died following suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Mourour neighbourhood in the south of Raqqa city. An unknown number of others were alleged wounded by local sources. According to Al Araby the strikes hit residential buildings in the area. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.  

Summary

First published
September 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 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
4 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1539

LOCATION

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Deir Ezzor 24 reported that “warplanes” carried out a raids “focused on the Al-Rayaheen kindergarten near the mosque Othman bin Affan and near the headquarters of the Hesba of the organization [IS]. Many were wounded.” No additional details are presently known.

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
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

October 2, 2017

Incident Code

CI862

LOCATION

الحصيبة, Husaybah, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to several sources, a married couple identified by name were reported killed in central al Qaim following a Coalition or Iraq Air Force strike. According to al Qaim News, the Iraqi air force killed the couple in Qaim district. Al Grbia Al Hadath said the couple died when their home at al Huseiba in central

Summary

First published
October 2, 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, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS1599

LOCATION

البدو, Baidou, Raqqa, Syria

A woman named as Zubaydah al-Rahim Sheikh Hassan and her daughter Reem Mohammad al Musa (pictured) died in the al Badou neighbourhood whilst trying to leave the city of Raqqah, local sources alleged. There was some discrepancy in reports, therefore it is not clear how the two died; in equal measure sources suspected the US-led

Summary

First published
October 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1630

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Local media reported the the death of a civilian male. Three sources blamed the US-led Coalition for his death.The date of the incident is unknown. Raqqa24, reporting the death on October 25th, said that the victim died “a few days ago”. However the last reported Coalition action in the city was on October 16th, with

Summary

First published
October 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

November 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1658 RS2669

LOCATION

السكرية, Al Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four civilians – two women and two girls – died in an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of al Sukkariya, local media reported. It was unclear who was responsible, though one source attributed the event to Russia. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “four citizen women including two girls were killed as a

Summary

First published
November 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children2 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, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1690

LOCATION

Abu Hamam or Al Kashkiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Abu Hamam and al Kashkiya, local media reported. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “International Coalition’s warplanes targeted areas in the towns of Abu Hamam and Al-Kashkia, killing three citizens including two women, and injuring others”. One woman was specifically reported killed

Summary

First published
December 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1–2 women)
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

May 14, 2018

Incident Code

CS1751

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to a single source, several civilians were wounded as a result of Iraqi and Coalition air or artillery strikes on the village of Al Baghouz on May 15th. Multiple sources stated that the Syrian Defence Forces (SDF), supported by the International Coalition and in coordination with Iraqi forces, took control of the town of

Summary

First published
May 14, 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 24, 2018

Incident Code

CS1783

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to local sources three to four civilians were killed by artillery or airstrikes, injuring up to 18 others near the sheep market of al Soussa. Al Soussa Youth reported “a very violent bombardment of rocket launchers” on the sheep market and nearby houses. According to the report, “more than ten missiles” resulted in large

Summary

First published
July 24, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(0–1 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–18
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2018

Incident Code

CS1805

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian house was reported destroyed in a Coalition airstrike on al Soussa. Two media reports said that non-combatants died. A tweet by @ashameree199 described “A raid by the International Coalition against the house and shops of Mr. Rafie al-Ghannam, which is inhabited by the families of fighters of the organization’ [IS]  with Iraqi nationality,

Summary

First published
October 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2018

Incident Code

CS1840

LOCATION

قرية ابوالحسن(البقعان جزيرة)ة , Abo Al Hassan (al-Buqa'an Jazeera), East of Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 15 and 53 civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike with “heavy shelling” on the village of Abo Al Hassan, east of Hajin in the Deir Ezzor governorate, according to locals. Sources claimed that the death toll would rise due to the difficulty in getting civilians out of the rubble. This was reportedly

Summary

First published
November 17, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 53
(17 children12 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1322a RS2380

LOCATION

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was killed in an airstrike in Zor Shamer, Raqqa, according to local media sources – though it was not clear who was responsible. Most sources attributed responsibility to Russian forces, though one reported that Coalition aircraft conducted the strike. DeirEzzor24, reported that “Coalition aircraft targeted the area south of Hsaywa, Zor Shamer”. Syrian

Summary

First published
August 2, 2017
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, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS965a

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah: near Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque, Raqqa, Syria

A female child was killed by artillery shelling from the US-led Coalition. The Coalition later conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across this event and CS965 and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted in CS965. This civilian was initially listed as killed in an airstrike

Summary

First published
June 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 5, 2016

Incident Code

RS854 CS224a

LOCATION

شعيب الذكر, Shai'eeb al Zakar, Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians including three children died in an airstrike on airstrike on Shai’eeb al Zakar, according to local sources though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible, with one report saying that the warplanes were thought to have belonged to the US-led Coalition. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed a

Summary

First published
June 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children4 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
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1429b

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Some of the names in this incident were initially reported by several sources under incident number CS1429a (Amjad Ahmed Taha Al-Suwairi, Mohammed Ayman Sweiri and Ahmad Taha Al-Omar Al Suweiri). During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org), Amnesty field researchers were

Summary

First published
August 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18
(5 children1 woman1 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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2014

Incident Code

CS016

LOCATION

المريعية, Mrey'iya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Damascus Centre for Human Rights two civilian males – both members of the same family – died in an airstrike on the village of Al Maya’iya. Syrian Martyrs also named the two victims, while the DinSyr twitter feed reported “Hamza Ahmad al-Abd Al Jalil Mahmoud Ahmad Al-Jalil. Their bodies were identified among

Summary

First published
October 18, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(0–2 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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Incident Code

CS1940

LOCATION

طريق بين عفرين وإعزاز، قريب من تقاطع قيبار, Road between Afrin and A’zaz, close to Qibar Junction, Aleppo, Syria

Up to three people were reported killed – one of whom was said to be a militant leader in the Ahrar al-Sham Movement which is affiliated with the Syrian National Army – in an alleged Coalition drone strike on their car on Afrin- Azaz road in Aleppo, Syria, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources.

Summary

First published
December 7, 2019
Last updated
July 7, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 3
(0–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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
Belligerents reported killed
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2014

Incident Code

CI024

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an event previously not tracked by Airwars, two civilians were reported as having been possibly killed by a Dutch airstrike on December 26th, after motorbikes strayed into the kill zone during an attack on Fallujah. According to an internal CENTCOM document, it was self-reported the following day that “while conducting dynamic coalition airstrikes on

Summary

First published
December 25, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 8, 2021

Incident Code

CS1970

LOCATION

الصبحة, Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one man was killed in an alleged Coalition and Syrian Defense Forces airdrop operation in the town of Al-Sabha on November 8th, 2021. Sources were conflicted as to whether the man killed was a civilians or a militant. According to Euphrates Post, the Coalition and the Syrian Defense Forces carried out an airdrop

Summary

First published
November 8, 2021
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2015

Incident Code

CI039

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Cultural area, Nineveh, Iraq

According to NINA, citing a security source, nine members of a family – including women and children – died after coalition warplanes “bombed a house at dawn in the Althaqafiyah residential complex area in the north of Mosul, suspected of being taking a den or a hideout by Daash terrorists.”  

Summary

First published
February 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(3 children2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI063

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

A claimed coalition airstrike on the centre of Mosul killed up to 23 militants and five or more non-combatants according to reports, after four homes were destroyed. NINA cited a medical source as saying that 23 civilians died when aircraft struck the Mdaana neighbourhood – though this appears to be a mis-cite of other casualties

Summary

First published
April 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 9
(1 child4 women)
Civilians reported injured
12
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 23, 2015

Incident Code

CI074

LOCATION

المسحك, Mishak, Salah Al Din, Iraq

In a report published in January 2016, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq cited an incident in Bayji which an alleged airstrike killed six civilians including four children. The Coalition has confirmed carrying out an airstrike in the vicinity. According to UNAMI, “On 23 June, a house was allegedly targeted by an airstrike in

Summary

First published
June 23, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
8–27
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