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 10, 2016

Incident Code

CS256

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians were reported killed in Coalition strikes, including a woman and child. The US later admitted to two deaths in the attack, noting: “Manbij, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that two civilians were killed.” As Shaam News reported, “activists stressed that Syria democratic forces and elements of the

Summary

First published
July 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child1 woman3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS968

LOCATION

نهر الفرات، الرقة, Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria

Up to four civilians died when their boat was struck by the Coalition as they attempted to flee Raqqa, local media said. In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh barge. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed and 10

Summary

First published
June 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
10
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 12, 2015

Incident Code

CI058

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Internal monitoring by the Coalition initially identified two possible civilian casualties from an airstrike at Hawijah. The attack, on a High Value target code-named ANDERS MESA, was carried out by an A-10 Warthog. According to a CENTCOM report declassified in September 2015, “2 civilians unseen in the collateral calls may have been killed or injured

Summary

First published
April 12, 2015
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

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS432

LOCATION

السوا, Sawa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between five and 40 civilians reportedly died following a Coalition airstrike at al Sa’wa, according to local sources. The Coalition later confirmed killing just two civilians. According to Step News, “international coalition planes targeted last night oil terminal wells near the town of Al Sa’awa in the western countryside with dozens of air strikes, killing

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 40
Civilians reported injured
2–15
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

February 28, 2017

Incident Code

CI496

LOCATION

نابلس, Mosul, Nablous, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an event near Mosul. Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED factory, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars with

Summary

First published
February 28, 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

September 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI112

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

A single source claimed that two civilians died after “the alliance air force shelled civilian homes in Ramadi.” No other details were given. On July 7th, 2017 the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “Sep. 25, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report: During strikes on an ISIS fighting positions, it was assessed that

Summary

First published
September 25, 2015
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

August 31, 2016

Incident Code

CI283

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

In a previously unreported incident, the US admitted three months later that it had killed two civilians in an attack on Ramadi, noting that near Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that two civilians were killed. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
August 31, 2016
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.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2017

Incident Code

CI595

LOCATION

Mosul, Matahin, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of seven civilians in an event in the al Matahin neighbourhood in western Mosul. The June 2017 civilian casualty report noted “During a strike on an ISIS headquarters, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the

Summary

First published
March 30, 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

November 6, 2014

Incident Code

CS019

LOCATION

حارم, Harim, Idlib, Syria

Six months after US air raids had targeted the Khorasan Group (part of the al-Nusra Front) and the militant group Ahrar al-Sham, the Coalition conceded that two children had “likely” died in the attack – the first public concession of any civilian deaths after 4,000 airstrikes against ISIS over nine months. The November 5th US-only

Summary

First published
November 6, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2–6 children)
Civilians reported injured
2
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

January 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI409

LOCATION

Mosul, Baladiyat / Al Sukkar, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an event in northeast Mosul. The event was later confirmed as a British airstrike. In its May 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: “During a strike which destroyed Daesh vehicle-borne improvised explosive device used to attack

Summary

First published
January 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

May 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS809

LOCATION

Khirbat Farms, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an airstrike near the hamlets of Khirbat farms and Ruhayyat in Raqqa province. Their August 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians,

Summary

First published
May 12, 2017
Last updated
March 9, 2023
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

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

July 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1279

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between nine and 11 civilians – many from the same family- died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes on Abu Kamal, local media reported. While most reports pointed towards the US-led Coalition, a number did not identify the warplanes responsible, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it was unclear whether the

Summary

First published
July 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 11
(1–5 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–25
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
9 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2018

Incident Code

CS1780

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to thirteen civilians were allegedly killed when Coalition aircraft struck two or more houses in al Soussa, local sources reported. In September 2019, the Coalition’s monthly civilian casualty report noted: “In Deir ez-Zor, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh explosive factory. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed as a

Summary

First published
July 16, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 13
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
11 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI352

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians near Mosul. Their January 2017 civilian casualty report noted “During a strike on ISIL fighters and a technical vehicle it is assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed by the munition’s strike blast.” A senior official later informed Airwars

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
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

March 26, 2018

Incident Code

CS1740

LOCATION

البوكمال, Near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In a previously unknown event, the UK for the first time admitted that its forces caused civilian harm during an airstrike against so-called Islamic State. In a written statement to Parliament on May 2nd, UK Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson MP stated that “one civilian was unintentionally killed,” when a UK Reaper drone

Summary

First published
March 26, 2018
Last updated
April 4, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
UK Military
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

September 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS306

LOCATION

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM reported on 13 September 2016 that non-combatants may have been killed or injured after a non-ISIL vehicle strayed into a strike kill box. “In a strike on Sep. 7, near Dayz Az Zawr, Syria, on an ISIL target, what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove

Summary

First published
September 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI654

LOCATION

الثورة, Mosul: Thawra neighbourhood, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple sources reported that more than 90 civilians died in a major incident in Al Thawra (Revolution) neighbourhood in Old Mosul. As Reuters noted, “Dozens of civilians were killed on Saturday by air strikes targeting homes in the Thawra district on the western side of Mosul, a neighborhood declared by Iraqi forces restored overnight by

Summary

First published
April 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
90
(1 child3 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Iraq Government Forces
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1280

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian near Abu Kamal, Syria. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS-held building, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Since the target of the strike was a building,

Summary

First published
July 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS1363

LOCATION

Al Na'im area, Raqqa, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that there had been an “escalation of civilian martyrs” following alleged artillery shelling on the Na’im area of Raqqa. This was later confirmed to have been a US airstrike. Raqqa News Post for example reported at the time: “#Urgent : # Ar Raqqa The fall of artillery shells on the area

Summary

First published
August 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

December 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1688

LOCATION

غرانيج / درنج, Daranj (possibly غرانيج Granij), Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child died in a Coalition airstrike according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported “a child died on December 3rd, due to wounds sustained from International Coalition warplanes which fired missiles on Darnaj village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs on December 1, 2017″. In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility

Summary

First published
December 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS293

LOCATION

ذيبان‬, Ziban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Coalition airstrikes on ‘ISIL oil tankers’ reportedly resulted in the death of a civilian driver and the injuring of others. In September 2020, the Coalition admitted that a strike had been conducted on August 11th 2016 against Daesh equipment, killing one civilian and injuring at least one other. According to the Syrian Observatory, “Coalition warplanes

Summary

First published
August 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

CS397

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in Raqqa. Their January 2017 civilian casualty reported noted “During a strike on ISIL fighters in a moving vehicle it is assessed that one civilian pedestrian was unintentionally killed by the munition’s strike blast.” In July 2019, the Coalition

Summary

First published
November 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS592

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Al Kanissa roundabout, Raqqa, Syria

In the first of three reported incidents at al Tabaqa on this date, eight civilians died in a fresh alleged Coalition raid on the city. ‘Dozens’ were also reported injured. According to local reports, eight members of the family of Musa al-Habib died when their house near the al Kanissa roundaout was struck in an

Summary

First published
March 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(3 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS881

LOCATION

جامع الفواز, Fawwaz Mosque, Raqqa, Syria

According to Al Araby, “a civilian was killed as a result of renewed artillery shelling of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units on al-Fawaz mosque area, in conjunction with battles.” Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named the victim as Muhammad al-Taqi but didn’t say who was responsible for his death. In July 2018 the US-led alliance

Summary

First published
May 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

June 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS931

LOCATION

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An adult male, also an agricultural worker, was named as a victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Mahkan town by local media. Sources said that he died from wounds sustained in the strike. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in a report on June 11th, “an agriculture engineer died from injuries he

Summary

First published
June 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1299

LOCATION

الرقة‎, near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Coalition officials told Airwars that their report

Summary

First published
July 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 2, 2018

Incident Code

CI876

LOCATION

Al Qanus Island, Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq

In an event not tracked by Airwars at the time, in July 2018 the Coalition self-reported that it had accidentally killed one civilian and injured a second in an action near Qayarrah. According to the report, “April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and

Summary

First published
April 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 9, 2016

Incident Code

CS334

LOCATION

بادية هجين, Hajin Desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 3 and 4 civilian drivers were reported killed in Coalition raids in the desert outside Deir ez-Zor, accoring to multiple local sources. The Coalition reported that it attacked multiple “supply routes” in the area during this period. In November 2017 it confirmed responsibility for the event. However, the Coalition admitted to having killed only

Summary

First published
October 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 25, 2016

Incident Code

CI310

LOCATION

Mosul, Buwayd, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition admitted in its February 2017 civilian casualty report that it had killed one civilian during a strike on a moving vehicle. The report noted “During a strike on ISIL fighters in a moving vehicle it is assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when the

Summary

First published
October 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident