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

December 30, 2016

Incident Code

CS423

LOCATION

دبسي عفنان, Debsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria

At least five civilians were killed and as many as 22 injured after Coalition aircraft allegedly bombed Debsi Afnan, a town 70km west of Raqqa city. Raialyaom News reported that “seven were killed including 3 children and 22 wounded including women and children with some in critical condition, due to coalition warplane strikes in Debsi

Summary

First published
December 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4–22
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

December 30, 2016

Incident Code

CI381

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

An unnamed doctor at a local medical centre near Mosul told Iraqi Spring Media Centre that his facility had received 200 civilians over the preceding 24 hours, as a result of bombing and mortar shelling. In related news, Kurdistan’s health minister told reporters that health facilities in the region had so far received 13,000 injured

Summary

First published
December 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
200
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 30, 2016

Incident Code

CI382

LOCATION

وادي حجر, Mosul, Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in Wadi Hajar, Nineveh, Iraq

Eleven civilians were reported killed and up to 80 injured when Coalition aircraft allegedly struck the vicinity of the Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in the Wadi Hajar area of Mosul. Islamic State later issued a propaganda video which included eyewitness reports. One noted: After we heard the bombing of Khalid Bin Al Waleed we came

Summary

First published
December 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
80
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 29, 2016

Incident Code

CI379

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that up to 41 civilians died and a further 143 were injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes on eastern Mosul neighbourhoods in support of a renewed push to capture the city from ISIL. Iraqi Spring placed the death toll at 41, while MNN said at least 30 died. In its February 2017 civilian

Summary

First published
December 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30 – 41
Civilians reported injured
143
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

December 29, 2016

Incident Code

CI380

LOCATION

مستشفى ابن الاثير, Mosul, Ibn Al Athir Hospital, Nineveh, Iraq

According to several sources, at least 16 civilians killed following the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the children’s hospital in Mosul. CENTCOM confirmed the incident the same day and announced an investigation. A number of ISIL fighters were reported killed along with between five and 16 civilians when the Coalition targeted a vehicle at Ibn al-Athir

Summary

First published
December 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 16
(1–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
7–14
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

December 27, 2016

Incident Code

CI378

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Up to 20 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strikes on Mosul according to local sources. Yaqein reported that international alliance air raids targeted the Al Faisaliah, Alqosjat and Aldndan areas in Mosul, killing 20 civilians and wounding four others. Iraqi Spring Media centre placed the death toll at 19. One victim was named

Summary

First published
December 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19 – 20
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI377

LOCATION

حي القدس, Mosul, Qudis, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents told Airwars researchers that an entire family was killed following alleged Coalition air strikes on their house in Qudis neighbourhood in East Mosul, in the afternoon of December 26th 2016. This was reported in an interview with two witnesses, on June 9th 2017. The two witnesses, Ala Samir Ahmed and Ali Abdulrazaq, said that

Summary

First published
December 26, 2016
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2016

Incident Code

CI376

LOCATION

البعاج, Al Baaj, Nineveh, Iraq

Local media and the area’s MP reported that 20 civilians were killed and 55 injured after unknown aircraft targeted Al Baaj city west of Mosul. According to Zahid Kotuna, the elected MP for the area, an unknown warplane carried out a fierce air strike on the densely populated civilian town of Baaj 140 km west

Summary

First published
December 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
55
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 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS420 TS030

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between 20 and 25 civilians died in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) raid on al Bab. According to ISIS’s media wing, “Turkish planes committed a new massacre in al Bab for the second day running – initial toll of 20 dead.” Umayya reported the death toll as being possibly even higher than 25: “The

Summary

First published
December 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 25
(3–7 children3–10 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS421

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria

An adult civilian male named as Awwad Al-Thallaj died when his vehicle was struck in a reported Coaltion airstrike at al Tabaqa. Raqqa is being Slaughtered noted the “Martyrdom of Awwad Al-Thallaj due to coalition warplanes shelling targeted his car near the Euphrate Damn near Tabaqa.” In an emailed response to a report submitted by

Summary

First published
December 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

December 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS422

LOCATION

سويدية صغيرة, Sweidah Sagheer, Raqqa, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed and two or more injued following an alleged Coalition strike on Sweida Sagheer. Revolutionary Forces of Syria reported that “According to activists, a coalition raid in Sweida Sagheer killed three civilians and wounded others.” While other sources mentioned Coalition strikes on the village, none refered to civilian casualties. In an

Summary

First published
December 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2016

Incident Code

CS419

LOCATION

جعبر, Ja'abar, Raqqa, Syria

Seven or more civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Ja’abar during fighting for control of the town. According to LCCSY, “Civilian martyrs and wounded by the international coalition aircraft bombed on the outskirts of the village of #Ja’abar #Tabaqa city.” According to the Syrian Network, “six civilians died in International Coalition

Summary

First published
December 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
(1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI375

LOCATION

شارع خالد بن الوليد, Mosul, Khalid Bin Al Waleed street / Al Masrif, Nineveh, Iraq

Seven civilians were killed in alleged Coalition strikes, according to local sources. ISIL-controlled Al A’amaq reported that seven people died in a US bombing at Khalid Bin Waleed Street on the eastern side of Mosul. At least three other outlets, including Al Kawaser reported identical reports, using the same language. A local source later named

Summary

First published
December 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(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

December 20, 2016

Incident Code

CS418

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, al Thani, Raqqa, Syria

Four to five civilians were reported killed and ten injured in a Coalition airstrike on al Tabaqa. According to most sources a possible civilian woman, two men and two children died in the attack. According to ISIL’s media wing “a child and a woman and man [were] killed and 10 people injured as a result

Summary

First published
December 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

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

December 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS417 TS025

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Three unnamed civilian males were reported killed in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) action at al Bab. The Coalition later denied responsibility. According to Step News, “Turkish planes targeted al Bab, east of Aleppo, with three raids and there are news about casualties.” VDC later reported three unidentfied male civilian deaths – though said

Summary

First published
December 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS415

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Sixteen child soldiers were killed in Coalition airstrikes at al Shadadi, according to a local source.    

Summary

First published
December 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 16
(16 children)
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

December 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS416 TS024

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Between eleven and 15 civilians were reported killed in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) action at al Bab. According to LCCSY eleven civilians died, “most of them killed in Coalition raids on al Bab.”However, the source had consistently denied civilian harm from Turkish actions during the al-Bab campaign. Al Bab News reported “more than

Summary

First published
December 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI373

LOCATION

أحياء النور والفلاح والقدس شر, Mosul, Northeast, Nineveh, Iraq

More than a dozen civilians – and possibly more than 40 – were reported killed in eastern Mosul. Yaqein reported that 15 civilians were killed by a missile on the east side of Mosul, all from the same family – though a source it cited put the death toll lower, at 12. It did not

Summary

First published
December 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 40
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2016

Incident Code

CI372

LOCATION

حي السكر, Mosul, Sukkar, Nineveh, Iraq

Four civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition strike on al Sukkar, survivors told the US news magazine Buzzfeed. The alliance later accepted responsibility for the incident. Buzzfeed met with survivors in mid-2017, with the outlet later sharing its incident notes with Airwars: Eyewitness told journalist Mike Giglio when he met him at his

Summary

First published
December 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2016

Incident Code

CI371

LOCATION

حي السكر, Mosul, Sukkar, Nineveh, Iraq

According to local sources, up to 17 people were killed as a result of airstrikes on their homes in the Sukkar (Sugar) district, Mosul. The bodies were pulled from the rubble on January 8th, 2017. Airwars contacted the Canadian-based elder brother of the family, who provided 11 names, photos and ages of eleven victims. All

Summary

First published
December 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 17
(4–5 children1–2 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2016

Incident Code

CI370

LOCATION

حي الفلاح, Mosul, al Falah, Nineveh, Iraq

According to survivors, eight civilians died in a reported 2 pm following an alleged Coalition strike on Hay al Falah. Buzzfeed journalist Mike Giglio met with survivors in Mosul in early 2017. he provided this account to Airwars: Eight civilian relatives of Nawal Fathi Khala, born 1954, also known as Um Ghassan. Leg wounds to

Summary

First published
December 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
5
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2016

Incident Code

CS413 TS020

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Twelve civilians were killed and up to 30 injured at al Bab in what local sources claimed was a ‘Coalition’ strike, but which may have been a result of Turkish-ISIS fighting. Al A’maq, ISIS’s media wing, reported “12 dead and 30 injured, most of them women and children, following violent Turkish shelling with more than

Summary

First published
December 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(6 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
20–30
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
8 named, 2 families identified
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

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS412

LOCATION

الكور, Al Kour, Raqqa, Syria

Reports emerged on December 15th of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of al Kour which killed three civilians. However the original source for the claim suggested that the event took place two days earlier. According to Abd al Basset Ahmad al Khalaf, head of the political committee for local Syrian tribes, Habib al

Summary

First published
December 11, 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
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Incident Code

CI369

LOCATION

النور والتأميم, Mosul, Noor and Ta’mim, Nineveh, Iraq

Fifteen civilians were reported killed in fighting between ISIL and Iraqi forces. Said Noor Ahmed Halbusi, a doctor at a field hospital, told Anadolu he had received 15 bodies, including seven from one family. The civilians were killed in fighting between Iraqi forces and ISIL inside Mosul it said. Yaqein reported the same figures but

Summary

First published
December 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
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

December 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS411

LOCATION

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to eleven civilians died in a Coalition airstrike which at the time was also blamed on Russia and the Assad regime. However the Coalition has confirmed striking oil installations and tankers in the vicinity on this date, and killing five drivers. According to Ara News, “Unidentified warplanes shelling oil refineries in Badeyet Kisham killed

Summary

First published
December 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 11
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 11, 2016

Incident Code

CI368

LOCATION

حي الفلاح, Mosul, Falah, Nineveh, Iraq

Eight to eleven civilians – including five children and 8 members of the same family – were killed by Coalition strikes in Mosul, according to local sources. According to Iraqi Spring, eight civilians from one family, including four children and two women were killed in Coalition airstrikes in the Al-Falah neighbourhood of eastern Mosul. Several

Summary

First published
December 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 12
(5 children3 women4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
12 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 10, 2016

Incident Code

CI367

LOCATION

Al Ashwa, Nineveh, Iraq

A Coalition or Iraq government airstrike on a vehicle killed one civilian and injured others, according to a Human Rights Watch investigation. According to HRW a strike on a vehicle at al Ashwa, 80 kilometres from Mosul in December 2016 killed one civilian named and wounded 11 others. It said the apparently unlawful attack, in

Summary

First published
December 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2016

Incident Code

CI366

LOCATION

Mosul, Furqan mosque, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition admitted in its February 2017 civilian casualty report that it had likely killed two civilians during a strike on an ISIL road repair team. As the report noted: “Dec. 9, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIL construction equipment in the

Summary

First published
December 9, 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