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

January 24, 2015

Incident Code

CI033

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

The previously-secret CENTCOM file also noted reports by redacted “prominent anti-ISIL Twitter users” that “civilians are being killed in the bombardment.” With so few details to go on, CENTCOM concluded that there was “insufficient evidence to determine date and time of any specific allegation.”

Summary

First published
January 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 20, 2022

Incident Code

CS1989

LOCATION

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

At least two civilians, including a woman and a child, were reportedly injured in declared British drone strikes on the city of al-Bab on December 20, 2022. An alleged member of ISIS was also injured in the operation. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a Yemeni person was severely injured by a drone

Summary

First published
December 20, 2022
Last updated
March 29, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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.
Known belligerent
UK Military
Known target
ISIS
Geolocation
Exact location (other)
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI440

LOCATION

الدواسة, Mosul: West, Nineveh, Iraq

There were claims that up to 34 civilians died and 20 or more were injured following Coalition or Iraqi strikes on western Mosul. The Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that airstrikes had targeted residential neighborhoods and killed 32 people, including women and children. Yaqein news also put the death toll at 32. Shebab newsagency said

Summary

First published
January 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
27 – 32
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
5–20
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

June 5, 2015

Incident Code

CI071

LOCATION

عنه, Anah al Jadidah, Al Anbar, Iraq

A young man, Mustafa Tarif Habib al-Ani (pictured below) was reportedly killed along with three or four of his relatives in an alleged coalition airstrike. According to the Iraqi Spring site, the family home was struck “near Rabe’e Sooq in the Rasil Gharbi area of Anah district, in western Anbar.”  

Summary

First published
June 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(3 women1 man)
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, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 9, 2015

Incident Code

CS095

LOCATION

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria

The death of a 12 year old boy, Fares al-Khodour in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Hassakah on July 9th led to an international outpouring of grief and condemnation of the ongoing civil war in Syria – and of the Coalition’s own involvement. Fares had fled as a refugee with his family to Beirut,

Summary

First published
July 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
(1–5 children)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2015

Incident Code

CI093

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources claimed that a Coalition airstrike aimed at an ISIL vehicle instead hit nearby celebrations, killing 18 people including three medics. One was later named as dentist Dr. Samir Ibrahim while the UN noted that a father and child died in the reported event. According to NINA, the deaths occurred when a missile accidentally

Summary

First published
August 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18
(1 child1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Incident Code

CI113

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

Four members of the al-Jumaili family were killed in an alleged Coalition strike at Hit, according to reports. Mr al-Jumaili was described as a refrigerator repairman, whose home in the city’s April 7th neighbourhood was hit. The dead have been named by one of the sources. In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led

Summary

First published
September 27, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman1 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 4, 2015

Incident Code

CI134

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

In a casualty event previously unknown to Airwars, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that two civilians were injured during a US airstrike at Huwaijah. According to the official release, “On Nov. 4, 2015, in Al Huwayjah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that two civilians were injured. The incident

Summary

First published
November 4, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

December 13, 2015

Incident Code

CI158

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

There were single-source claims that 19 civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on Mosul. Citing local residents, the National Iraqi News Agency claimed that “international coalition aircraft bombed residential compounds in the Hadbah area east of Mosul, killing 19 civilians including six women and four children, and wounding six others.” However Airwars’ own sources in

Summary

First published
December 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(4 children6 women)
Civilians reported injured
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

January 22, 2016

Incident Code

CS167

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

There were claims by some of a wedding convoy hit in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa on the evening of January 22nd. Al Jazeera instead said that “an unmanned drone targeted a car belonging to IS near Bab Baghadad east of the town.” The event, which took place in the Baghdad Bab neighbouorhood of

Summary

First published
January 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
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

March 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI199

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

Twelve civilians reportedly died when their homes were struck in alleged Coalition airstrikes at Hit – although no strikes were publicly declared in the near vicinity. According to local media, among those killed ‘in Coalition strikes’ were Hadi Hassan Jihad, Bashar Hadi Jihad and five other family members with several more wounded, near the secondary

Summary

First published
March 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS199

LOCATION

جرابلس, Jarablus, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, the Syrian Observatory, reported that “no less than 13 IS [fighters] were killed by aerial bombardment by the Coalition warplanes in Jarablus, in addition to four detainees were also killed during the same airstrikes.” The Observatory’s Arabic-language report said the detainees were carrying out as punishment duty the digging of trenches for

Summary

First published
April 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 20, 2016

Incident Code

CS215

LOCATION

أرشاف, Al Arshaf, Intersection of roads, Aleppo, Syria

Up to ten civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition evening strike at Al Arshaf village on the outskirts of Ekhitrin town, in the northern Aleppo countryside. Syria Urgent initially said 6 civilians died – 4 women and two men – with another four injured “following an American raid.” The Syrian Observatory placed the

Summary

First published
May 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 10
(3 children2–5 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 19, 2016

Incident Code

CS234

LOCATION

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

Between 10 and 16 civilians including one woman were killed and 30-35 injured in airstrikes on Tabaqa – though reports are conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Assad regime carried out the attacks. However, the majority of the sources allege Russia was responsible. LCCSY, Syria 2011 and the Syrian Revolution all named

Summary

First published
June 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 16
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
30–35
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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS258

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

In a second alleged Coalition civilian casualty event in Manbij for July 11th, up to three civilians were reported killed.  

Summary

First published
July 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(1 woman1 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
3 named
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

Incident date

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

CI416

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources said airstrikes targeted civilians houses in al Qaim west of Anbar which killed four civilians and injured seven others. Two sources spoke of “government aircraft”, but in a second report by Iraqi Spring Media Center it was later claimed that the US-led Coalition was responsible for the raids.  

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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

January 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS457

LOCATION

ابو جدي, Abu Jeddi, Raqqa, Syria

One named civilian died during clashes between Kurdish and ISIL forces at Abu Jeddi. According to the Syrian Observatory, “a man from Abu Jedi village in the northern countryside of Al-Tabaqa west of Al-Raqqah was killed in bombing by warplanes yesterday on the area, it is believed that the warplanes belong to the International Coalition.”

Summary

First published
January 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2017

Incident Code

CI451

LOCATION

قصر المطران, Mosul, Qasr al-Mataraan, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that four children, all from the same family, were killed and their parents seriously injured after unspecified airstrikes allegedly targeted their house in the Qasr al-Mataraan or “Bishop Palace” area at the right side of Mosul. Iraqi Spring Media Center spoke of three children killed, while Ajel Al Mosul put the death

Summary

First published
February 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(3–4 children)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS502

LOCATION

Al Tabqah, Qaryah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near al Tabqah, Syria”. According to the Coalition report, “6. Feb. 17, 2017, near Al Tabqah, Syria, via social media report: After a review of available information it

Summary

First published
February 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS524

LOCATION

Kabish Sharqi and Tishreen farm villages, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians including one child and one woman died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Kabish Sharqi and Tishreen farm villages, according to a single source, the Smart news agency. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
February 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2017

Incident Code

CI492

LOCATION

عنه, Anah al Jadidah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources said that four civilians were killed when Coalition airstrikes hit the Ana district, in the west of Anbar province.

Summary

First published
February 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS551

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an event previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition said no civilians were harmed near Raqqa, In it’s April 2017 casualty report the Coalition said: “No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties”.

Summary

First published
March 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident