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

March 8, 2018

Incident Code

CS1738

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two local sources reported “several civilian casualties” including fatalities as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on ISIS at Hajin. According to 7al the bombardment had targeted an ISIS HQ “killing six elements inside three of them Moroccan nationals,” later adding that the same shelling had caused civilian casualties near “the entrance of the city”.

Summary

First published
March 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

June 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1768

LOCATION

الحردان, Al Hardan village (al Shayer hill), Al Hassakah, Syria

Two to four civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of al Hardoun. Marsad al Hassaka stated that the house of Mohammed Ahmed Hardan was targeted at “dawn today”, where he was killed with his three children while his wife was seriously injured. Zaman al Wasl quoted a local activist who

Summary

First published
June 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–3 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2016

Incident Code

RS1122 CS292

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a major civilian casualty event, between 13 and 30 civilians were killed and up to 70 more injured from airstrikes from either a Russian or a Coalition strike on al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa City. Both belligerents report bombing in the area. Raqaa is Being Slaughtered initially reported on the morning of August 11th:

Summary

First published
August 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 30
(3 children1–2 women8 men)
Civilians reported injured
13–70
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition
Named victims
10 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2018

Incident Code

CS1855

LOCATION

الكشمه, Al Kashma , Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between five and 20 civilians were reported killed in an alleged airstrike which was said to have targeted Al Kashma. All sources blamed the Coalition for the incident. Al Araby reported that “Local sources told Al Araby Al Jadid that the raids left 15 dead civilians, mostly children and women, in addition to dozens of wounded.”

Summary

First published
November 25, 2018
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
(2–4 children2–4 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2019

Incident Code

CS1891

LOCATION

الباغوز, Between Al-Baghuz Fawqani town and Al-Marashdah village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike killed a total of 42 people, including 13 civilians in addition to 29 members of ISIS according to local reports. Among other sources, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Coalition “shelled places on the eastern banks of the Euphrates River, in the eastern sector of Deir Ezzor countryside,

Summary

First published
January 25, 2019
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 13
(3 children1–2 women6–7 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–10
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
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
29
View Incident

Incident date

August 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1372a

LOCATION

al-Badu , Raqqa, Syria

According to several local sources and field research by Amnesty International, a mother and her three children were killed in al-Badu, Raqqa, as an alleged Coalition airstrike hit their building. Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality found that  “a double air strike killed nine civilians from two families

Summary

First published
August 14, 2017
Last updated
March 24, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(3 children1 woman)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2016

Incident Code

RS746

LOCATION

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Shaam News Network reported that one civilian died and several others were wounded in a Russian strike in Douma: “Two civilians were martyred in Al Marj area in Russian raids and one was martyred and others wounded in Douma.” However, other sources report that this was a regime action. The Syrian Network for Human Rights

Summary

First published
March 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

January 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS447a

LOCATION

near Idlib, Idlib, Syria

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of three civilians near Idlib, Syria. In its May 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted “Coalition aircraft conducted a strike against a Daesh vehicle. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike.” The report also

Summary

First published
January 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Incident Code

CI010

LOCATION

عوينات, Awinat, Nineveh, Iraq

According to news agency NINA, a “US air strike on the village of Aouinat northwest of Mosul killed five civilians, according to a source in forensic medicine in Mosul.” The Al Rafidain website (in a report dated ten days after the event) placed the death toll higher at between 10 and 20, saying two houses

Summary

First published
October 17, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
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 8, 2019

Incident Code

CS1936

LOCATION

خبيرة, Khubeirah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three tents were reportedly bombed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Khabira area in the northeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It is unclear how many people died in this event. The Observatory reported that “the tents were set up about a week ago by people who claimed to

Summary

First published
November 8, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2014

Incident Code

CI022

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an event previously unreported by Airwars, an internal Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) reported “4 unknown persons potentially injured while moving into the engagement area,” during a Coalition airstrike on Objective Nebula, a targeted vehicle. France later confirmed that it had carried out a targeted strike in Mosul on that date, though it is not

Summary

First published
December 16, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
(4 children)
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 2, 2021

Incident Code

CS1965

LOCATION

مزرعة تشرين, Mazra'a Tishreen, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian, a “young” man, Abboud Al-Akeeb, was allegedly killed by US-led Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces’ raid on Tishreen Farm, north of Raqqa in Syria on 2nd October 2021, according to multiple sources. The attack was reported to have happened at dawn. Athar Press reported that “American forces and “SDF” carried out raids in

Summary

First published
October 2, 2021
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2015

Incident Code

CS052

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A Jordanian airstrike against an “ISIL weapons compound” – in coordination with the US military – allegedly killed US aid worker and hostage Kayla Mueller, along with up to 30 militants from Islamic State. The US later said that “with the information that we have there’s no evidence of civilians in the target area prior

Summary

First published
February 6, 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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 19, 2015

Incident Code

CS063

LOCATION

متراس, Mitras, Aleppo, Syria

A shepherd was reported by the Syrian Network as having been killed in a Coalition airstrike near Mitras. Five other people were injured by shrapnel. The victim’s son later described retrieving his father’s body: “The rocket caused a great hole in the ground, almost two metres deep. I buried my father’s body in the town.“

Summary

First published
April 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
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

June 18, 2015

Incident Code

CS081

LOCATION

Road between Suluk and Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Up to four civilians were reported killed by the coalition when the car they were traveling in was struck. According to SOHR, the vehicle was hit on the road between Ar Raqqah and Suluk. Sira Press reported: “Activists stressed that all those who were in the car were unarmed civilians and there were four of

Summary

First published
June 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 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

July 17, 2015

Incident Code

CI084

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Waiter Muhannad Hisham Alnemah was killed in a US airstrike near the Al Afandi Restaurant in the main street of Hadbah neighborhood. An unspecified additional number of restaurant staff and customers were also reported killed and injured in the attack. In January 2016, CENTCOM admitted the civilian casualty incident, noting that “during strikes against ISIL

Summary

First published
July 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–3
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

September 1, 2015

Incident Code

CI099

LOCATION

مكحول, Makhul, Salah Al Din, Iraq

Reports alleged that a Coalition strike killed 11 civilians “including elderly people,” and injured 18 more. According to an activist Facebook page, “Coalition planes bombed the market in the village of Makhul, which was full of displaced people.” Another site attributed alleged civilian fatality estimates to the police, though said the airstrike responsible was by

Summary

First published
September 1, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
18
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

October 8, 2015

Incident Code

CS135

LOCATION

جبل عبدالعزيز, Abdulaziz Mt, Al Hassakah, Syria

A single source listed an adult male non-combatant as a victim of Coalition action. According to VDC, Ahmad Nayef Al Hamad was from Baseera in Dayr ez Zawr, and was killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Abdulaziz mountain in Al Hassaka. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that

Summary

First published
October 8, 2015
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

November 17, 2015

Incident Code

CI142

LOCATION

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq

A doctor was reported killed and three of his colleagues injured after an alleged Coalition strike near Mosul. According to the Iraqi state news agency NINA, “a doctor was martyred and three other doctors were wounded in bombing which targeted health centers in the Hamam al-Alil area, and also hit uninhabited residential buildings close to

Summary

First published
November 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

December 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI166

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

Military aircraft – which some sources described as the Coalition’s – reportedly killed five civilians in a Christmas Day strike. According to Al Rafidain the attack could have been the work either of the Iraq Army or the Coalition, noting that “army aviation commander Hamid al-Maliki also confirmed that army helicopters carried out a raid

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

CS172 RS622

LOCATION

الشدادي, Al-Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Reported airstrikes by the Coalition or possibly Russia on al Shadadi between midnight and dawn struck a bakery in the city killing at least 15 civilians, according to multiple reports. Shaam News and the Syrian Network said the civilians died in a Coalition strike as they queued to buy bread at Auto Bakery, although other

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 28
(4 children1 woman8 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
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, Russian Military
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 24, 2016

Incident Code

CS193

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in the Al Dar’iya area of central Raqaa, in an alleged Coalition strike. According to Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered, “International coalition planes yesterday targeted a weapons depot belonging to Daesh near Hod al Furat garage in Al Dar’iya area in the city centre of Raqqa which led to its total

Summary

First published
March 24, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 19, 2016

Incident Code

CS203

LOCATION

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

Two named civilians were reported killed and others injured after an alleged Coalition strike at Al Tabaqah. One of those killed has been named as Abd al Mahayman Abd al Tawwab al Radwan, from Deir Ezzor. In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible

Summary

First published
April 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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

June 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI258

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Near Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the US-led Coalition later admitted that it had injured one civilian near Mosul five months earlier. Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “June 26, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that one individual was injured after entering the

Summary

First published
June 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS266

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

An 80-year old man was reported by a number of sources as having been killed in one of multiple Coalition strikes on Manbij between dawn and noon. The strikes reportedly targeted both the Aleppo road and the al Hazwana neighbourhood in the city. According to Manbij Mother of the World, “planes carried out several raids

Summary

First published
July 16, 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

August 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS290

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

As the battle for Manbij reached its final stages, so-called Islamic State claimed that Coalition aircraft had committed a ‘massacre’ of civilians in the town. However, most sources reported that ISIL was forcibly trapping civilians in the town, and using them as human shields. In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed

Summary

First published
August 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI285

LOCATION

تلول الباج, Telul al-Baj, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources claimed the Coalition targeted civilian homes at Telul Al Baj, to the south of Mosul, which resulted in several deaths and injuries including among women and children. Yaqein said several raids hit the town which killed and injured two or more civilians. And the Iraqi Spring Media Centre reported that The coalition air

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

October 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS341

LOCATION

المعماري, al Ma'amari, Al Hassakah, Syria

A number of civilians were wounded by Coalition raids that struck a house, according to two local sources. Euphrates Post reported that a house belonging to a civilian in al Ma’amari village was targeted by Coalition planes, leading to the “injury of 15 people.” Al Natek reported 10 wounded, and later named the house owner

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
15
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

October 30, 2016

Incident Code

CI313

LOCATION

تل كيف‎, Tel Kepe (Tel Kayf), Nineveh, Iraq

A local outlet reported that numerous civilians have fallen victim to daily bombardments neighbourhoods in Telkaif north of Mosul. Mosul Youth and Girls, State and Flag reported that 15 people died, including children and six women. It attributed the violence to daily bombardment carried out by the besieging forces. Given reported British actions in the area

Summary

First published
October 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(2 children6 women)
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

November 10, 2016

Incident Code

CI331

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Hatra subdistrict, Nineveh, Iraq

A UN report on the protection of civilians in the context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: on 10 November: An airstrike hit Hatra subdistrict of Mosul. According to sources, between two civilians (children, aged seven and nine, respectively) and four civilians (two children and two women) were killed and nine other

Summary

First published
November 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(2 children0–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident