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

November 22, 2018

Incident Code

CS1846

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike that targeted the souk (market area) in Hajin, killed between 14 and 20 civilians according to local media, in what was described as “another massacre”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that at least 19 people were killed, including five ISIS fighters and 14 civilians, including five children and three women.

Summary

First published
November 22, 2018
Last updated
March 9, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 20
(5–9 children3–8 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
Belligerents reported killed
5
View Incident

Incident date

December 18, 2018

Incident Code

CS1877

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported the killing of the Basem Al-Hussein family as a result of artillery shelling on the town of Hajin. The bodies of eight named family members were allegedly pulled from the rubble, mostly women and an unknown number of children. All sources reported on the incident on December 21st, but the exact date

Summary

First published
December 18, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(1–7 children7 women1 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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 24, 2019

Incident Code

CI878

LOCATION

الرطبة, Rutba, Al Anbar, Iraq

A girl was reported killed and a man injured when an airstrike was carried on a house in Al-Oudan district, north of Rutba, Anbar province, Iraq. The airstrikes were believed to be carried out by American forces. The other members of the family were reportedly arrested but the reason remains unknown. In July 2019 the

Summary

First published
March 24, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

February 20, 2017

Incident Code

TS083 CS514

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria

Between 12 and 29 civilians including up to five children and five women died in airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Turkey or the US-led Coalition. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

Summary

First published
February 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 29
(4–5 children5 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
7
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, Turkish Military
Named victims
12 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1445a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, 15 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. Only five of the victims were

Summary

First published
September 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(3 children2 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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 24, 2014

Incident Code

CI002

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Al Shuhadaa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local news service Al Sumaria claimed that “11 civilians from one family” died after coalition airstrikes hit the village of al Qayyarah south of Mosul on the morning of August 24th. Other sources, placing the death count slightly lower at 8-9 killed, reported that the attack had been carried out by a helicopter, possibly a

Summary

First published
August 24, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

September 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI101a

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi city: eastern area, Al Anbar, Iraq

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq noted in January 2016 that two possible civilian casualty incidents had taken place in the vicinity of Ramadi on September 3rd of the previous year. The Coalition has confirmed carrying out strikes in the area on that day. According to UNAMI, “[an] airstrike reportedly hit a residential area

Summary

First published
September 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
28
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

January 11, 2015

Incident Code

CI028

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source claimed that a coalition strike on the town of Qayyarah near Mosul killed and injured “dozens.”  

Summary

First published
January 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 3, 2022

Incident Code

CS1977

LOCATION

طمة, دير بلوط, Deir Balout, Atma, Idlib, Syria

Up to thirteen civilians, including six children and four women, were reported killed and at least one child was injured after US forces targeted and subsequently killed the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, in Atma, northwest Syria on February 3rd 2022. Local reporting was conflicted as to whether the casualties

Summary

First published
February 3, 2022
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 13
(6 children4 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
Geolocation
Exact location (via Airwars)
Belligerents reported killed
4–5
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2015

Incident Code

CI042

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, al-Zohour, al-Tahrir, al-Bunook [also known as Al Massaref] and al-Muthanna neighborhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Reported Coalition airstrikes on multiple targets in eastern Mosul – said to be occupied by Islamic State forces – allegedly killed 14 civilians, including women and children. According to NINA, medical forensic teams in Mosul “received 14 dead bodies belonging to civilians, [who] were killed in al-Zohour, al-Tahrir, al-Bunook [also known as Al Massaref] and

Summary

First published
February 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 8, 2015

Incident Code

CS067

LOCATION

تل مجدل, Tal Majdal, Al Hassakah, Syria

A 10 year old boy from the village of Tal Majdal, was reported killed at around noon in a Coalition airstrike according to a number of sources, after being hit by shrapnel. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event as non-credible. Their report noted: “After review of all available strike records it was determined

Summary

First published
May 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 30, 2015

Incident Code

CS086

LOCATION

سلوك, 20 km from Suluk, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian car was reported hit in a coalition airstrike 20km to the south of Suluk, killing those inside. The attack was described as occurring near Umm al Brameel, to the south east of Tal Abyad. Among the dead was a child named as Mohmmad Ali Ahmad Al Assaf.  

Summary

First published
June 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 31, 2015

Incident Code

CI089

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

In a major incident, up to 46 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike (according to the Iraqi Revolution site) on the town of Ar Rutbah. The UN Mission to Iraq expressed “serious concern” about the event. The attack, which occurred shortly after dawn, reportedly killed a significant number of children, with graphic photographs widely

Summary

First published
July 31, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
27 – 46
(3–11 children5–18 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
70
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 17, 2015

Incident Code

CI105

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

A reported evening airstrike by a drone or other Coalition aircraft at Hawijah was said to have killed five civilians and injured a further seven or more people. Al Amaaq, the media wing of ISIS, reported the “Killing [of] five civilians and wounding of seven others in the bombing by a US aircraft in the

Summary

First published
September 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
7–12
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

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI127

LOCATION

القوسيات, Alqosjat, Nineveh, Iraq

In what may be a separate incident or confused reporting (see also the Kisik Junction report for this date) there were reports of a family of eight or nine killed at Alqosjat – an event said to have killed a woman and two children. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(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
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2015

Incident Code

CS153

LOCATION

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

On Sunday, December 6, 2015, a woman and her two children were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Deir Ezzor city, in northeastern Syria. Reuters cited the Syrian Observatory as reporting that “In Deir al-Zor city, another air strike overnight killed a woman and two of her children.” In comments relating to the

Summary

First published
December 6, 2015
Last updated
June 27, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

January 8, 2016

Incident Code

CI174

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Sofiya, Al Anbar, Iraq

Some local media reported that two families consisting of 14 civilians were killed in an unattributed airstrike on Sofiya in Ramadi. While Yaqen also reported that 14 civilians had died, it blamed the deaths on Iraq Army artillery. In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event, saying that it

Summary

First published
January 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CS180

LOCATION

جرير, Jareer, Al Hassakah, Syria

According to reports up to nine civilians died in the village of Al Jareer 4km east of Al Shadadi, after a Coalition aircraft allegedly struck a vehicle. According to the Union of Hassakah Youth Movement, most of those who died were women. Ara news cited a local man it named as Hamid Al Abdullah: “The

Summary

First published
February 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(5 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

April 3, 2016

Incident Code

CI214

LOCATION

حي الجري, Hit, Jerri and Amina, Al Anbar, Iraq

Locals reported that eight civilians died after the Coalition or Iraq government aircraft struck the Jerri and Amina neighbourhoods of Hit. The Coalition has denied responsibility. Among those killed was a family of six: a Facebook tribute page noted: “This is a picture of the martyr Riad Ahmed Rzeyk, who was forced out of his

Summary

First published
April 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(4 children1 woman2–3 men)
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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 5, 2016

Incident Code

CS208

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition announced on December 1st 2016 that it had assessed a claimed incident ‘near Aleppo’ on May 5th – but that no strikes had been conducted in the vicinity. According to the Coalition release, “May 5, 2016, near Aleppo, Syria: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that

Summary

First published
May 5, 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

June 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS226

LOCATION

‏الهدهد‬, Al Hadhad, Aleppo, Syria

Ten civilians from the same family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Al Hadhad, as fierce fighting continued to evict so-called Islamic State forces from areas around Manbij. The Syrian Human Rights Committee also named some of the dead. “Based on the available information, Amnesty International is concerned that

Summary

First published
June 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 11
(2 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
28
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
15 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS249

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed and others injured during a reported Coalition targeted strike on an ISIL vehicle in Manbij. According to Local Civil Defence, “International Coalition warplanes target an ISIL vehicle near Hal marketplace in Manbij city. Four were killed among them. But three martyrs among civilians were also reported, according to a local

Summary

First published
July 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

September 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS305

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, Halaab News, named the child Zuheir Mohammad al Maghrabi as having been killed in an alleged Coalition raid on Manbij. No further details are currently available. In their May 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

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

October 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS332

LOCATION

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

In a previously unknown incident, on December 1st, 2016 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm: “(12.) Oct. 6, 2016, near Aleppo, Syria: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographical area.“ Airwars researchers have so far identified no known public allegations of civilians killed or

Summary

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

October 25, 2016

Incident Code

CS349

LOCATION

الحمر الشرقية, Al Hamar al Sharqiya, Aleppo, Syria

Syria News Desk quoted a resident of the twon who said “planes launched more than three raids on the villages of Al Hamar al Sharqiya and al Madoura and Tal Asward… which led to the killing of two civilians and wounding six others in Hamar al Sharquiya.” Another report from a local facebook page said

Summary

First published
October 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
0–6
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

November 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS362

LOCATION

خنيز السلمان, Khaniz al Salman, Raqqa, Syria

Several outlets reported the death of a man from Coalition strikes. RBSS and Shaam News Network reported the death of a civilian “driver” who was operating a tractor when the vehicle was targeted by a Coalition strike.  

Summary

First published
November 7, 2016
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Incident Code

CS379

LOCATION

باتبو, Batabo, Aleppo, Syria

A unilateral US airstrike on a Fatah al Sham leader may also have killed up to three members of his immediate family. The Syrian Observatory initially reported that “an unidentified plane – it’s not clear whether international coalition or Russian – targeted a car carrying several people near the town of Batabo in the western

Summary

First published
November 18, 2016
Last updated
March 24, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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

Incident date

December 1, 2016

Incident Code

CI358

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Fifteen civilians were reported killed and 8 wounded in an alleged Coalition raid, according to local sources. Yaqein said that 15 civilians, including women and children, were killed in a Coalition strike that hit homes. Iraqi Spring Media Center also reported that 15 civilians were killed and that 8 were injured. They too blamed the

Summary

First published
December 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2016

Incident Code

CI374

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Farouk and other neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

More than 40 civilians were reported killed or injured due to shelling inside Mosul. Naynawaalghad TV cited what it said were medical sources in Mosul, who told the outlet that 41 civilians were killed or wounded as a result of artillery fire from an unknown source. The outlet noted that residents were forced to bury

Summary

First published
December 17, 2016
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, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS427

LOCATION

سويدية كبيرة, Sowaiydiya Kabira, Raqqa, Syria

At least eight civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Sowaydiya, as the US-led Coalition and its SDF ground proxies continued to battle ISIL in Raqqa governorate. According to Raqqah is Being Slaughtered, there were “nine martyrs and three injured in a massacre at the village of al Sowaydiya Kabira following targeting

Summary

First published
January 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 12
(6 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
10–24
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident