US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

October 19, 2018

Incident Code

CS1814

LOCATION

هجين , Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged fourth problem Coalition airstrike in the governorate of Deir Ezzor over a 48 hour period allegedly hit a ‘Qur’anic institute’ (a place in which the Qur’an is taught) in Hajin, in what some local sources described as another “horrific massacre”. Various sources reported that the airstrike killed six civilians and wounded several others.

Summary

First published
October 19, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2018

Incident Code

CS1851

LOCATION

بلدة أبو الحسن, Abou Al Hasan town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Alleged Coalition airstrikes occurred in Abou Al Hasan town. Step News reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded, but did not however distinguish between this event and an incident in Hajin, also on November 23rd. All sources signified the alleged use of white phosphorous munitions. In its monthly civilian casualty report

Summary

First published
November 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

January 4, 2019

Incident Code

CS1882

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Alleged Coalition airstrike and artillery shelling targeted a residential area in Al Shaafa town, reportedly killing a total of six civilians. Among the declared victims were a family of four civilians that were killed when artillery shelling targeted their house. In addition, Sputnik reported the death of a Chechen civilian woman. Citing Khida Saratov, a member

Summary

First published
January 4, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS168 CS146

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Reports indicated that Coalition aircraft had killed up to ten civilians in Raqqa in an evening strike. According to local monitors Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently, seven were killed and eight injured after a civilian fuel facility was bombed in the Brigade 17 area of the city. A graphic video by Daesh propagandists Al A’maq

Summary

First published
November 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 10
Civilians reported injured
8
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

June 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1006a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, two 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 stated that “Hassan Hammadi

Summary

First published
June 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2014

Incident Code

CS001

LOCATION

كفردريان, Kafr Daryan, Idlib, Syria

On the first night of US airstrikes in Syria, the United States carried out a sequence of attacks on the Al Qaeda-affiliated Khorasan Group (part of the al-Nusra Front.) For the only recorded occasion during the allied air war, the US deployed Tomahawk cruise missiles to strike targets in the vicinity of Aleppo. Locals also

Summary

First published
September 23, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 18
(5 children5 women4–6 men)
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
13 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 4, 2019

Incident Code

CS1882a

LOCATION

near Ash Sha'fa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an event previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in an artillery strike near Ash Sha’fa, Syria. This was later confirmed by the Pentagon to be a US-only event. In its June 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: “Coalition artillery conducted a strike against a Daesh

Summary

First published
January 4, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Artillery
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

November 7, 2014

Incident Code

CS023

LOCATION

near At-Tanak Oilfield, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In its January 25th 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that a civilian casualties allegation near At-Tanak is currently being assessed: “#1 Nov. 7, 2014 near At-Tanak Oilfield, Syria via regional human rights organization report.” Further research by our Syria team indicated that this incident was in fact previously known to Airwars, but had

Summary

First published
November 7, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 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
3 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 12, 2020

Incident Code

CS1943

LOCATION

خربة عمو, Road between Khirbet Amo and the Allaya neighborhood on the outskirts of Al Qamishli, Al Hassakah, Syria

One man was killed and three civilians were wounded in clashes between American troops and Syrian regime forces near the village of Khirbet Ammo, Al Hasaka governorate, on February 12th, 2020, according to local sources. It remains unclear if the killed man was a civilian or a member of an armed group. Sana reported that “American

Summary

First published
February 12, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
Assad regime
Named victims
4 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

January 14, 2015

Incident Code

CS044

LOCATION

الحسكة, Al Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The website Syrian Martyrs identifies one man it says was killed in a Coalition airstrike near Dayr Ezzawr. He was reported as a resident of Tayana, the village where he was killed. However Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies – which named him – said that although he was from Tayana, he was killed in Al

Summary

First published
January 15, 2015
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 9, 2022

Incident Code

CS1981

LOCATION

العطالة, Al Atta, Al Hassakah, Syria

At least one man was killed during an airdrop operation carried out by the Syrian Democratic Forces and alleged US-led Coalition in the village of Al-Atta in the countryside of Al-Shaddadi city at dawn on June 9, 2022. Sources were conflicted as to whether the man killed was a civilian or a member of ISIS. Al

Summary

First published
June 9, 2022
Last updated
March 9, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known belligerent
Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2015

Incident Code

CS059

LOCATION

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Al Hassakah, Syria

A woman from the town of al-Hussainiyah- said to be the mother of four children – was reported killed in a coalition airstrike on the nearby town of al-Tamr in al Hasakah, according to sources.  

Summary

First published
February 26, 2015
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

May 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI068

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, near Bahauddin mosque, Nineveh, Iraq

Summary: A devastating airstrike on the Mosul neighbourhood of Rifai reportedly killed numerous non-combatants and injured up to 150 people. Among those killed in the event was Ayman al Hayali (who ran a clothing shop) and his family, including his wife and young son. Other sources claimed that 5 women and at least 3 children

Summary

First published
May 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 50
(2–3 children1–5 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
30–150
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

Incident date

August 8, 2015

Incident Code

CI091

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Coalition aircraft were alleged to have struck civilians some 15 km from Ar Rutbah, at the Haj Saleh Mraid Kubaisi glassworks factory. According to a number of sources, some families had fled the town for fear of airstrikes, only for members to be killed in an alleged Coalition attack on a civilian vehicle. It was

Summary

First published
August 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(2–3 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
10
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2015

Incident Code

CI108

LOCATION

جزيرة الخالدية, Khalidiya island, Al Anbar, Iraq

An alleged Coalition strike at Khalidiya island, to the east of Ramadi, reportedly killed seven civilians including two cildren. Thirteen people were also reported injured, described as ‘mostly women and children.’ A Coalition report issued in December 2016 stated the following: “After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of each alleged civilian casualty

Summary

First published
September 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
13
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 22, 2015

Incident Code

CS140

LOCATION

البلعوم, Baloum, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to reports civilian facility guard Waleed Mekhlef Al Abbad was killed in a Coalition raid on the Al Omar oil field. According to local reports, midnight airstrikes were followed by a raid involving up to six Coalition helicopters. Ara News cited media activist Yasser al-Dairi from Al Mayadeen as saying the raid “targeted an

Summary

First published
October 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI153

LOCATION

الشركة, Ramadi, Sharika, Al Anbar, Iraq

Four civilians were reported killed and 17 injured in an alleged Coalition or Iraqi strike on the centre of Ramadi. According to FaceIraq, the source of the claim appeared to be Sputnik News, which itself reproted that “According to Iraqi security sources, who asked not to be named, a Coalition strike on the ‘Company’ area

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
17
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

January 14, 2016

Incident Code

CI177

LOCATION

الثقافية, Mosul, Cultural group (Daash court headquarters), Nineveh, Iraq

There were effectively single-source claims that an alleged Coalition strike on a Mosul court killed 33 civilians who had been detained on petty charges by so-called Islamic State. Three judges also reportedly died. According to Al Mustaqbal, the Coalition targeted “a former Social Welfare Department building” which now functions as a court. The three ISIL

Summary

First published
January 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
33
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 25, 2016

Incident Code

CS184

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two adult civilian males named as Adnan Abd al-Wahab al-Bonaia al-Jasem and Ahmad Dalf al-Saleh were reported killed in al Mayadeen in an alleged Coalition airstrike. No additional details are presently known. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as

Summary

First published
February 25, 2016
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 11, 2016

Incident Code

CI237

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to local sources, a Coalition airstrike at Ar Rutbah resulted in the deaths of seven civilians and the injuring of an additional 13. News of Iraq reported that the attack destroyed the house of Aref Abrash in Methaq neighbourhood, and the home of Abdullah al-Fayad near the Mustafa mosque. A propaganda video issued by

Summary

First published
May 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
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

June 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI251

LOCATION

جامعة الموصل, Mosul, Al Jameha / University, Nineveh, Iraq

One civilian, a teacher, was killed and another wounded, after an alleged Coalition jet struck the university area of Mosul. A number of civilian cars were also said to have been destroyed. The US later confirmed its role in the attack though reported only that two civilians were injured: “Near Mosul, Iraq, during another strike

Summary

First published
June 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 8, 2016

Incident Code

CI264

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Six members of one family including four children were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Qaim. Yaqen reported that “the bombing also caused considerable material damage to civilian homes in those affected areas in the city of Qaim.” And Rawa Hama said a number of Daesh fighters were also killed and injured

Summary

First published
July 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS279

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

One adult civilian male was reported killed in a fresh Coalition strike on the besieged city. According to Manbij Direct, “Mohammad bin Ahmad Khaled al Othman died in coalition raids a few hours ago inside the city of Manbij. He is a civilian who doesn’t belong to any faction. Today the city of manbij has

Summary

First published
July 23, 2016
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 23, 2016

Incident Code

CI282

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in an airstrike on the northern outskirts of al Qayyarah. Their July 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on Daesh improvised weapons assembly area, one civilian was unintentionally injured.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location

Summary

First published
August 23, 2016
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 3, 2016

Incident Code

CS326

LOCATION

العزيزية, Al Azizeya [exact location], Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians were reported injured in a Coalition strike, though it later denied any civilians casualties had occured in the event. According to ISIL’s media arm “three women and a child were wounded in American warplane shelling in Al-Azizeya, south west of Al-Rae’i.” A Coalition report issued December 1st 2016 insisted that “Oct.

Summary

First published
October 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
4–5
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

October 23, 2016

Incident Code

CI305

LOCATION

بخديدا (Bakhdida), Qaraqosh, Nineveh, Iraq

The Coalition announced it was conducting an assessment of a possible civilian casualty event: Currently, three reports received in October are still being assessed… 3. Oct. 23, 2016, near Qaraqosh and Hasana, Iraq. A Coalition report issued the following month noted: Oct. 23, 2016, near Qaraqosh and Hasana, Iraq: Insufficient information provided or available to

Summary

First published
October 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
0–1
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 6, 2016

Incident Code

CI324

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Sehab, Nineveh, Iraq

An Iraqi security source who spoke with Airwars reported the deaths of 16 civilians spread among several families. The source said they were all in a house in a neighbourhood of eastern Mosul when it was hit by an airstrike at 7 PM on November 6th. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

First published
November 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS375

LOCATION

شنينة, Shanina (and al Rihat, Ba’as and Abu Hassan), Raqqa, Syria

Seven civilians were reported killed and 15 injured following reported Coalition strikes on three villages to the north of Raqqa. Although multiple sources noted the raids, only Smart news alleged civilian casualties.  

Summary

First published
November 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
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

November 28, 2016

Incident Code

CS399

LOCATION

منطقة الحسيان, Al Hissiyan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One to two civilians were reported killed in a Coalition strike on the al Hussian area of the al Bukamal desert. One young male civilian victim was named as Ahmad Fahid Hamoud (or al Kijja/ Kajia). Syria 2011 named Mohammad Fahid as killed – who may or may not be the same person. Only Euphrates

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2016

Incident Code

CS414 RS1787

LOCATION

الرقة‎, al Dalla roundabout, Raqqa, Syria

A heavy air raid on Ar Raqqah left up to 36 civilians dead according to multiple reports. While most blamed Russia, there were some claims that the US-led Coalition was responsible. It has since denied involvement. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, the afternoon raids were concentrated mainly near the city’s al Dalla roundabout. Euphrates

Summary

First published
December 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 36
(3–14 children2 women16 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–60
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
31 named, 2 families identified
View Incident