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

November 20, 2018

Incident Code

CS1844

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The Coalition was said to have fired white phosphorus munitions on Hajin, according to sources on the ground. Free Deir Ezzor Radio claimed that it was the sixth time Coalition forces used white phosphorus during the month. Amongst others, Sound and Picture and Sana News claimed that civilians were killed and injured, but exact numbers

Summary

First published
November 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2014

Incident Code

CS009

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A number of sources including the Syrian Martyrs website reported that a woman was killed in a Coalition airstrike on Ar Raqqah. She was reported as being a resident of the city. The3 Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also reported her death fropm Coalition actions – though said this occured on September 24th: ” Fawzia

Summary

First published
September 29, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2019

Incident Code

CS1914

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz , Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported the death of the young woman “Alaa Mahmoud Al-Shakran” displaced from the city of Palmyra, as a result of alleged Coalition on the town of Al-Baghouz on March 20th. According to a post by Revo.palmyra3, this brings the number of fatalities to four civilians displaced from Palmyra including two women and one

Summary

First published
March 20, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1165b

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one man was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes 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. The report stated that “Ala

Summary

First published
July 6, 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

November 5, 2015

Incident Code

CI135

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Heavy Coalition airstrikes on Mosul resulted in a number of civilian casualties, according to reports. Face Iraq said medical sources in the city reported no fatalities. However three civilians were said to have been injured after an airstrike hit a Daesh prison in the western Badush area of the city. And one student was said

Summary

First published
November 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(0–1 children)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS306

LOCATION

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

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

Summary

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

Incident date

November 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS370

LOCATION

خنيز جنوبي, Khaniz Janoubi, Raqqa, Syria

A reported Coalition airstrike on an ISIL ‘police facility’ also killed a named civilian non-combatant. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, Ali al Awwad al Rahil died when his home was struck during the raid. However a local media activist claimed he died as a result of “YPG Kurdish militia targeting of his home while

Summary

First published
November 11, 2016
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI423

LOCATION

Mosul, Jaza'ir / Algeria, Nineveh, Iraq

Medical sources in Erbil confirmed that the child Marwa Duraid Younis Khalil was severely injured and her mother (Eman Jamal Kamber Ali) was killed when a Coalition airstrike targeted their home in Jaza’ir neighborhood, east of Mosul. News of Iraq posted two videos of the girl (who was found alone in the hospital after her

Summary

First published
January 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
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

March 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS564

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Al Qitar/Al Bustan, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian died and five others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, according to a single source. According to Smart News, “a local source in the town of Raqqa said the strikes targeted al Qitar (Train) Street and al Bustan park, killing one civilian and wounding five others”. It said the strikes were

Summary

First published
March 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS581

LOCATION

سد الفرات, Euphrates Dam, Raqqa, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike at the Euphrates Dam near al Tabaqa reportedly killed one named civilian worker. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, “an air raid launched by the international coalition yesterday on the area around the Euphrates Dam in al Tabaqa killing Hamidi al Abd al Majid al Nayef one of the employees at

Summary

First published
March 16, 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 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1035

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male was killed following alleged ‘SDF’ shelling into Raqqa city. The victim was named as Mohammed al Kasbah by a number of sources and a photo of him was provided. Four of five of the sources who reported the incident alleged that the US-backed SDF was responsible. However, only the Coalition reports using

Summary

First published
June 19, 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 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1116

LOCATION

ﻣﻨﻄﻘﺔ ﺍﻻﺩﺧﺎﺭ ﻭﺻﻮﺍﻣﻊ ﺍﻟﺤﺒﻮﺏ, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

According to Al Hassaka Rasd, “The International Alliance Aviation targeted the area of al Idkhar and the grain silos with several air raids this morning. The death of a pharmacist was documented in the coalition raids on the city of Raqqa”. The Syrian Press Center and @Raqqa24 both also reported the incident and alleged that

Summary

First published
June 28, 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 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS1192

LOCATION

الرقة‎: منطقة مفرق الحصيوة, Al Hassawiya Junction (unknown location), Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male was killed by an “SDF mortar shell” in the Al Hassiyawa junction area, according to Sharqiya Voice and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
July 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

July 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1220

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A one-year-old child was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, according to local sources. The date of death may have been earlier, with Abu Muaz al Raqqa tweeting that the child died “as a result of bombing coalition aircraft on the city of Raqqa several days ago.”

Summary

First published
July 17, 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 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1339

LOCATION

دوار البكرة, Al Mayadin, al Bakra roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian girl  was reported killed after air strikes during the night, near Ali Bin Abi Taleb mosque in Deir Ezzor. At present there is a single allegation in a Smart report against the US-led Coalition, though this is contested in a Facebook post by Free Deir Ezzor which attributed the strikes to “Russian criminal

Summary

First published
August 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
3
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1452

LOCATION

Al Houssainiyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian, was killed by alleged airstrikes on the al Houssainiyah village, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. According to local sources, he was killed in “his his home by shrapnel” after the strikes hit. The US-led Coalition were not documented as the culprit however, and nor was any other actor, with only “warplanes” and “airstrikes”

Summary

First published
September 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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

October 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1624

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A named adult male civilian died in the besieged neighbourhoods of Raqqah, according to a local source. Details of his death are presently unknown. Airwars will amend the entry when new information is available.

Summary

First published
October 13, 2017
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

January 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1714

LOCATION

السوسة, al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on al Soussa, according to local media. One victim was named locallly as Saleh Ibrahim Mohsen Al-Faris. Deir Ezzor 24 blamed the Coalition for his death, though other sources didn’t identify the culprit. According to Al Sharq al Souri, shells landed on the victim’s

Summary

First published
January 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

June 25, 2018

Incident Code

CS1775

LOCATION

سوح الجزر, Suh al Jozr in the northern Deir Ezzor Desert , Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian adult male was reported killed in a Coalition strike in a desert area of Deir Ezzor governorate, according to a single source. A tweet by Deir Ezzor 24 reported on the “Death of Fawaz Abtisheh Farhan from the village of # Mu’ijel after an air raid of the international coalition targeted his car

Summary

First published
June 25, 2018
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

October 18, 2014

Incident Code

CS015

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

A single source, the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies, claims that one civilian, from Al Shadadi, Hasaka, in a coalition airstrike.

Summary

First published
October 18, 2014
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

March 20, 2019

Incident Code

CI878a

LOCATION

Anbar, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another near Anbar, Iraq. This was later confirmed to be a US action. As CJTFOIR’s June 2019 civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition forces engaged in a small arms fire event. Regrettably, one civilian was

Summary

First published
March 20, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

June 19, 2015

Incident Code

CS083

LOCATION

خنيز, Road 6, near Khaneez village, north of Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Coalition aircraft allegedly struck a three-wheeled motorcycle or ‘tirterah’ which was carrying a vegetable farmer. Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently later published a graphic image of the aftermath. The victim was identified as a resident of Hamam al-Turkman near Ar Raqqah. In April 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: “Coalition aircraft conducted a

Summary

First published
June 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 18, 2015

Incident Code

CS103

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Al Sabahiah area of West Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

An alleged coalition strike on an Islamic State checkpoint in a suburb of west Raqaa reportedly killed 22-year old Omar Huwaidi Al Mueissat when a missile hit the family house. His 17-year old brother Ali Huwaidi al Mueissat was also reported to have been severely injured in the incident, suffering a broken pelvis and wounds

Summary

First published
July 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Incident Code

CI144

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident which may relate to incident CI143 – or was unknown to Airwars – the Coalition announced in January 2017 that it was investigating a possible civilian casualty event near Manbij almost 14 months earlier. According to the statement “five reports of civilian casualties received in November are still being assessed… Sept. 20,

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
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

August 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS293

LOCATION

ذيبان‬, Ziban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

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

Summary

First published
August 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI340

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Airport and Gizlani camp, Nineveh, Iraq

In January 2017 the Coalition issued a statement denying responsibility for alleged civilian casualties in Mosul six weeks earlier. Nov. 15, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike, the Coalition noted. A senior official later informed Airwars that the

Summary

First published
November 15, 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

November 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI351

LOCATION

Mosul, Karama, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said one civilian was killed by Unknown bombing in Karama neighbourhood east of Mosul. Airwars’s researcher contacted Zareen Ali, the victim relative who published the death event post and Ali had confirmed that bombing was by Daesh mortars. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible

Summary

First published
November 26, 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

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI605

LOCATION

الاقتصاديين, Mosul, Iqtishadeen, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Mosul. Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS mortar team egressing their firing position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed by a secondary explosion caused

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS911

LOCATION

امن الدولة, Amn al Dawa, Raqqa, Syria

Al Raqqa Truth reported that one civilian died after being hit by shrapnel following an airstrike. The source didn’t identify the culprit of the raid. Q_Alenzy reported that “Air strikes targeted the State Amn Al Dawla building near the Al-Roos pool northwest of the city center” – though this report may be referring to the

Summary

First published
June 3, 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1098

LOCATION

عياش, Ayyash, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian male was identified as killed and two others were injured in “cluster bombs” on the town of Ayyash, local sources reported, however it was not clear who was responsible. The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights and Free Deir Ezzor both reported that the strikes consisted of four raids. None of the four sources

Summary

First published
June 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident