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

July 31, 2017

Incident Code

CS1305 RS2375

LOCATION

العشارة, Al A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians were wounded in an airstrike on Al A’shara, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia. According to sources, the residential neighbourhood was struck with cluster bombs – believed to be Russian. Fresh Syria pointed at the Coalition, while

Summary

First published
July 31, 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, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS1618

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two named civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike at a water well in Raqqah, according to local media – though the date of the incident is currently unclear. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (reporting on October 13th), one young man, Bebars Ismail al-Habash, died “a few days ago” in a bombing targeting

Summary

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

Incident date

March 8, 2018

Incident Code

CS1738

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two local sources reported “several civilian casualties” including fatalities as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on ISIS at Hajin. According to 7al the bombardment had targeted an ISIS HQ “killing six elements inside three of them Moroccan nationals,” later adding that the same shelling had caused civilian casualties near “the entrance of the city”.

Summary

First published
March 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2016

Incident Code

TS007 CS371

LOCATION

مدينة الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

One or two civilians were reported killed and three injured in ‘Coalition’ strikes on Al Bab. However, other reports claimed that Turkey and its FSA allies may have been responsible. Sky News reported that Turkish tanks were advancing on Al Bab, while France 24 described Turkish airstrikes on the city. Reporting casualties, Halab News said

Summary

First published
November 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Turkish Military, US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1316a RS2379

LOCATION

الخميسية, Al-Khamesiya, Raqqa, Syria

A “number” of civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike in al Khamissiya, east of Raqqa City – though it was not clear who was responsible. Some sources attributed responsibility to the Coalition, some to Russia and some to Assad’s regime. Raqqa24 reported that there was “mass destruction” in al Khamissiya from Coalition aircraft

Summary

First published
August 1, 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
Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

October 28, 2014

Incident Code

CS017

LOCATION

سلوك, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria

An internal Coalition report, citing web sources, noted claims that civilian casualties had been alleged at Slouk “on a strike on some grain silos.” The aircraft was likely to have been a US armed drone, due to the Hellfire missile used. An initial investigation concluded that there had been no civilians injured: “The only strike

Summary

First published
October 28, 2014
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS528

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

According to a single source, the Violations Documentation Center, two adult males from Qusair died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Idlib. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
February 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
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 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1016

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah , Raqqa, Syria

Multiple local sources reported the deaths of two named civilians in Coalition airstrikes or artillery shelling. No additional 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 that the allegation provided insufficient information on the

Summary

First published
June 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS1169

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two unnamed children died in alleged Coalition airstrike and/or artillery strikes on Raqqa, according to local media. All sources blamed the Coalition, with Al Hasaka Rasd referring specifically to “US air strikes and artillery”. The original source of the claim may have been ISIS. As Sharqiya Post noted, “Ar Raqqa Daesh announced the martyrdom of

Summary

First published
July 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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

August 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS1342

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that Baraa Abdullah al-Haddad and his son were killed in an “airstrike”. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
August 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(0–1 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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1535

LOCATION

الرقة, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilian males died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah, according to local sources. Few additional details are presently known, though Mr Habal was said to have died in his home. Ismail Akkush was, according to extensive Amnesty field research, killed alongside three other men, as reported in Airwars incident CS1536. We have therefore

Summary

First published
September 27, 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2017

Incident Code

CI870

LOCATION

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to a single source, different areas of Al Qaim were targeted, resulting in possible civilian harm. The vague report noted Victims of aerial bombing of the international coalition aircraft in various areas of Qaim, west of Anbar. At the moment there is limited information on the incident, Airwars will amend the entry when any

Summary

First published
October 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 11, 2014

Incident Code

CS027

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

A number of sources cited SN4HR (in a report now lost) as claiming that two unnamed civilian males and one ISIL militant were killed in a coalition airstrike at Manbij, near Aleppo.  

Summary

First published
November 11, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 5, 2015

Incident Code

CS090

LOCATION

تل الجاير, Tall al-Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two civilians were reported killed in a Coalition strike at Hassakah which allegedly hit the Tal Al Jayer Medical Centre. It was also reported that “a number of women and children” were injured in the attack. However in July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian

Summary

First published
July 5, 2015
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS377

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Al Manghiyah and Al Sina’a, Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported that two civilians were killed and nine injured by Coalition strikes on the Raqqa neighbourhoods of Al Manghiyah and Al Sina’a. According to Smart News, “Our correspondent said that the international coalition aircraft against IS launched two raids on the neighborhood Al Manghiyah and Al Sina’a, which led to the deaths

Summary

First published
November 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
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

August 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS1353

LOCATION

Hurriyah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians. In January 2018, their monthly civilian casualty report noted “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently crossed into the area of

Summary

First published
August 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI863

LOCATION

التنك, Al Qaim, al Tanak, Al Anbar, Iraq

At least one named civilian male was reported killed in the Tanak neighbourhood of al Qaim. While some sources blamed the US-led Coalition, others implied that Iraqi aircraft or artillery might have been responsible. According to his family and local reports, an adult man died as a result of air and/ or artillery strikes on

Summary

First published
October 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
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, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1697

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians died and nine others were wounded in artillery or air strikes on Hajeen, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Awwad Zayed Hussein al Zayed was killed by Syrian regime artillery shells”. The victim was also named by DE24

Summary

First published
December 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2014

Incident Code

CI009

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM review identified potential civilian casualties from a Coalition airstrike on an ‘ISIL checkpoint’ west of Ramadi, which appears to have been carried out by Australian aircraft. According to the internal CENTCOM document, “On reviewing WSV [weapon system video] from AUS F18F” – an Australian Super Hornet – “it was apparent that a

Summary

First published
October 8, 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

October 2, 2015

Incident Code

CI117

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Local sources said that two civilians were killed and seven wounded after international aircraft struck civilians in Rubeidh Al-Asriya village, in Hawijah district. In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions

Summary

First published
October 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

November 9, 2016

Incident Code

CS368

LOCATION

خنيز السلمان, Khaniz al Salman, Raqqa, Syria

The Step News Agency, reported “international coalition planes targeted at noon today, Wednesday 9th of November, the village of Khaniz in the northern Raqqa countryside. There’s news about civilian casualties and a new massacre.” Step went on to add that “coalition aircraft also launched an air raid targeting the IS security perimeter in the city

Summary

First published
November 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI398

LOCATION

حي سومر, Mosul, Sumer, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said civilians were killed and injured after Coalition Apache helicopters targeted a market in Sumer neighborhood, southeast of Mosul, with machine guns. On the same day, a young man named as Mostafa al Lahibi was reported killed by unspecified shells in the same neighbourhood.

Summary

First published
January 7, 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS442 RS1829

LOCATION

شارع تل أبيض, Tal abyad Street, Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were killed – including a girl and a man – and others were wounded, following an airstrike on a bakery and a falafel restaurant in Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame, some blaming the US led Coalition, and others blaming Russian warplanes. The Coalition later denied

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
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, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS537

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Al Fardous/ paradise area, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians died and 12 others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to a single source, Smart news agency. Smart reported: “According to local sources the raids targeted the automated bakery at al Ferdos in the Paradise neighbourhood and Saif al Dawla street. Medical sources said that the raids resulted in

Summary

First published
February 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS611

LOCATION

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Buwaitiya, Raqqa, Syria

One woman and her child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hamra Boueitiya village in the eastern Raqqa countryside, according to local sources. According to Arabs Today, “a woman and her child were killed and a civilian was wounded on Thursday after an aerial bombardment by the international coalition on villages in the eastern

Summary

First published
March 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

May 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS780

LOCATION

حي الوهب, Tabaqah, Al Wahab (First Neighbourhood), Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Network two civilians died and seven were injured – in addition to the death of one member of IS and the wounding of two more – in an alleged Coalition airstrike or artillery strike on Tabaqa. Other reports gave some context, with RFS noting that “Syrian Democratic Forces managed to

Summary

First published
May 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS827

LOCATION

الماكف, Al Makef, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on the Al Makef area of Raqqa, according to local sources. The Coalition later confirmed responsibility for the deaths. In July 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in this strike: “During a strike on Daesh fighting positions and supply routes, two civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Summary

First published
May 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS923

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A single source, the Violations Documentation Center, reported that an adult male and his wife were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
June 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident