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

October 12, 2018

Incident Code

CS1808

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A named adult civilian male was reported killed by Coalition shellling at al Soussa, in an attack which also was said to have killed five ISIS fighters. Radio al Kul and a number of other sources noted only the deaths of the ISIS fighters. According to Syrian PC one of them was a high value

Summary

First published
October 12, 2018
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 2, 2018

Incident Code

CS1863

LOCATION

البوبدران, Al Soussa: al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child from the town of Abu Kamal died of his injuries according to multiple sources, following shrapnel injuries to the head received at some point in an air or artillery strike between December 2nd and 4th. Abdul Aziz Maher Jamal Al-Khabour died in the village of al Boubadran near al Soussa. Smart News said that

Summary

First published
December 2, 2018
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

January 14, 2015

Incident Code

CS043

LOCATION

حماة, Um al Nayr, Idlib, Syria

A female civilian, a civil engineer, was reported by Syrian Martyrs to have been killed in a Coalition airstrike. Confused reporting placed her death either at Umm Al Nayr near Hama, or at nearby Kaferzita. However, VDC – which named the victim – stated that a 25 year old instead died in an attack by

Summary

First published
January 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1265b

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one civilian was reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition artillery strike in Raqqa. Although Amnesty researched this incident on the ground, Airwars has decided to grade it “weak” due to the depth of material provided. According to the Amnesty report,

Summary

First published
July 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 3, 2015

Incident Code

CS110

LOCATION

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria

A number of sources named a 17-year old civilian, Ibrahim Al Hamdo Al Shabo Al Khateib, as having been killed in a Coalition strike. There were no further details.  

Summary

First published
August 3, 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

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CS139

LOCATION

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

An adult male was killed in a reported Coalition strike at Sukhna. While he was described as a civilian by one source, all others reported that he was in fact a combatant. The VDC has named Sabri Abd al Wahab al Ozbaki as a civilian victim of what it says was “coalition air force’s shelling.”

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
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

January 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS165

LOCATION

سلوك, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian man named as Hmaid al Agha was reported by VDC as having been killed at Slouk in a Coalition airstrike. The website Al Sharq al Arabi also listed Mr al Agha as killed, though did not attribute responsibility. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were

Summary

First published
January 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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

February 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI194

LOCATION

عامرية الفلوجة, Ameriat al Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Ameriat Al Fallujah council complained that a mistaken strike by undefined aircraft had hit a civilian house in the village 17km south of Fallujah, which resulted in the death of one civilian and the injuring of 7 others. According to Shaker Mahmoud, head of the council, the strike hit a house in the Heramat Amiriyah

Summary

First published
February 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

May 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS209

LOCATION

دابق‎, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria

A 6-year old girl was reported killed in an alleged Coalition raid on the town of Dabiq, though the alliance has denied responsibility. VDC has named the victim as Sara al Naser. In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event, saying that it conducted no strikes nearby that day:

Summary

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

May 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS843

LOCATION

السلحبية الشرقية, Al Sallhabiya, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male was reported killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Al Salhabiya Al Sharqiya village in western Raqqa. Although all three said the victim was killed as a result of air raids, only Sharqiya Voice alleged the Coalition was responsible. It reported that Coalition airplanes provided aerial cover to the YPG Kurdish militia units

Summary

First published
May 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS973

LOCATION

البرك, Raqqa, Burak area (location unknown), Raqqa, Syria

One civilian, named as Mohammad Qassem al Kibba, was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. Ahmad al Shibli, Q_Alenzy, 24Raqqa and Hammadi Al Hammadi all blamed the Coalition. Hammadi Al Hammadi said that the victim died in the Burak area.

Summary

First published
June 13, 2017
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1031

LOCATION

حي الدرعية, Al Diriya, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male was reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Al Dir’iya neighbourhood of Raqqa. He was identified as Issa Ramadan al Muhammed by both sources who reported the incident. Q_Alenezy reported that the Coalition was responsible via Twitter whereas the only other source, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, did not apportion

Summary

First published
June 18, 2017
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

June 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS1052

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male was reportedly killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, local sources reported. Al Hasaka Arabea identified the victim and reported that he was from Al Ahwas al Shaher village. Only one of the two sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible, whereas the other source did not apportion blame.  

Summary

First published
June 21, 2017
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1133

LOCATION

البوسرايا, Busaraya, Raqqa, Syria

A girl was reportedly killed by shells fired into Busraya, with the Coalition or the US-backed SDF are believed to be responsible. Although reportage suggested the strike occurred on the 1t of July, Amnesty field notes suggested that it happened between the beginning of June and the end of July. According to the Amnesty and

Summary

First published
July 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS1185

LOCATION

قصر البنات, Raqqah, Qasr al Banat, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male died in an artillery bombardment of Qasr al Banat, according to local media. Sources said that he died after he sustained an injury in the shelling. According to Jorf News, he died from “internal bleeding”. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa.  

Summary

First published
July 11, 2017
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

July 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1275

LOCATION

دوار الساعة, near Al Sa'a roundabout, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male died in an alleged Coalition air or artillery strike on Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. On July 29th, Palmyra Media Centre reported: “Anwar Mohammed Salim was killed several days ago in coalition forces near al Sa’aa roundabout and today the news of his death arrived.” Asfet Al Sahraa, posting in Martyrs

Summary

First published
July 26, 2017
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

July 31, 2017

Incident Code

CS1302

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A 14-year-old boy died following an injury sustained in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. Revolution Coordination Committee in Palmyra reported “the martyrdom of the child Mohammed Ali Hassan Taha (14 years old), displaced from Palmyra, died following being injured by a shell from the bombing of the international coalition on the

Summary

First published
July 31, 2017
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

August 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1414

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian male was killed in alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Raqqa. At present there is no further information on this incident: the entry will be updated when new details arise.  

Summary

First published
August 25, 2017
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

September 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI844

LOCATION

Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Yaqin reported civilians casualties following the bombardment of aircraft of the International Alliance on the areas of Rawah district, west of Anbar province. There is only a single source for this incident, therefore information is presently limited.  

Summary

First published
September 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1549

LOCATION

Suwaydan Jazeera, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported the death of one woman, displaced from Aleppo, in an airstrike on the home of Fayez Al Akla. Free Deir Ezzor said that members of the young woman’s family were also injured in the shelling. According to Euphrates Post, the house of Fayez al-Akla had been turned into an ISIS prison. Sources

Summary

First published
September 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1704

LOCATION

البحرة, Al Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian male, named as Karim Makhkhalf Al-Hamoud Al-Faraj, was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahra, according to local media. Euphrates Post, Sharqiya Voice and Deirezzor were among sources blaming the Coalition for the victim’s death. Euphrates Post for example noted “The martyrdom of Karim Mukhlif al-Hamoud al-Faraj from the city of

Summary

First published
December 29, 2017
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

March 3, 2018

Incident Code

CS1735

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A young man, identified as Omar Mohammed Ali Al Dakhoul, originally from Al Bu Ammru, was killed in an airstrike on the town of Al Baghouz, according to three local sources. None of the reports however specified on which date the bombardment took place, only mentioning that the man was killed “days ago”. Statements by

Summary

First published
March 5, 2018
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2015

Incident Code

CS157

LOCATION

عيساوي, `Isawi, Raqqa, Syria

One person named as Ahmad Al A’bd was reported killed and his cousin Wa’el Al A’bd injured after unexploded ordnance detonated – allegedly the result of a Coalition airstrike on the village in June. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this

Summary

First published
December 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 21, 2016

Incident Code

CS236

LOCATION

‏الجعابات‬, Al Ja'abat, Aleppo, Syria

One male civilian was killed and a number of others wounded, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of al Jaabat, according to multiple sources. Both Halab News and SHRC Daily reported that he was hit by shrapnel during an air raid. However the Coalition has publicly reported no strikes in the vicinity. In the

Summary

First published
June 21, 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
Named victims
1 named
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

Incident date

January 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS460

LOCATION

الغكة, Al Ghakka, Al Hassakah, Syria

Claims that a ‘civilian car’ was targed by the Coalition near al Ghakka were later revised, after reports identified a named ISIL commander killed in the attack. Initially, al Hassakah Youth Union reported that “Coalition planes target a civilian car in al Ghakka village east of al Shadadi which led to the death of Ahmad

Summary

First published
January 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS525

LOCATION

سلحبية, Salhabiya, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Salhabiya, 25 km west of Raqqa city, according to the Smart news agency. Jisr TV reported that the Coalition carried out raids on al Salhabiya, but didn’t mention any casualties.  

Summary

First published
February 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS637

LOCATION

شعيب الذكر, Shoa'ib Al-Zaker, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that Coalition warplanes carried out a strike on Shoa’ib Al-Zaker. According to Newsjorf, there were reports of deaths and injuries. Raqqa 24 reported “damage to residential houses.”  

Summary

First published
March 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS672

LOCATION

الكالطة, Qaltah, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that one civilian was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Al Kalta. Revolutionary Forces of Syria said he died when his home was struck. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

First published
April 7, 2017
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS853

LOCATION

الدوير, Al Duweir, Raqqa, Syria

One 30-year-old civilian died after his motorbike was struck at Al Duweir checkpoint between al Salhiya and al Qouriya, according to local sources. In February 2019, the Coalition conceded this death, noting: “Coalition forces had intelligence on an ISIS member traveling via motorcycle in Mayadin. Coalition aircraft struck the motorcycle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally

Summary

First published
May 23, 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