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

November 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI146

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A high-ranking officer with the Iraq Army was the reported source for a highly contested claim – most likely Daesh propaganda – that French aircraft had bombed a school in Mosul, allegedly killing 28 pupils. According to German news agency DPA, Brigadier-General Thanon Sabawi from the Second Division of the Iraqi Army claimed that “French

Summary

First published
November 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
28
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

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

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

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 an auto bakery, although

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 28
(4 children1 woman8–10 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
Russian Military, US-led Coalition
Named victims
10 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1383 ISSY001

LOCATION

الشجرة, Al Shajra, Daraa, Syria

Up to 27 civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on the town of Al Shajra in western Daraa. According to Daraa Martyrs Documentation Center, 32 “mostly civilians” were killed when positions of Jaish Khalid bin Walid, a Salafi jihadist group, were targeted. The report claimed that the Coalition launched a long-range missile, which “targeted the

Summary

First published
August 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 27
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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, Israeli Military
Suspected target
Other
Belligerents reported killed
5
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI029

LOCATION

الكسك, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

A Canadian airstrike at Kisik Junction was alleged to have killed between 6 and 27 civilians, according to an internal CENTCOM report. The source was an English-speaking peshmerga fighter, who had passed on his concerns to Coalition Special Forces based in Iraq. The Canadian attack had targeted “an ISIL sniper/ HMG [havy machine gun] position

Summary

First published
January 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 27
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 25, 2017

Incident Code

CI484

LOCATION

Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 27 civilians were killed, including women and children, and 63 were injured by Coalition airstrikes and artillery bombing on several neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul. Sawif Ateka published a photograph of an unnamed little girl who it said died in shelling on the Al-Zinjili neighbourhood. In its June casualty

Summary

First published
February 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
27
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
63
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2018

Incident Code

CS1876

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Shaafa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike killed and injured a number of civilians on the morning of December 21st. Although some sources reported that the incident took place on December 20th (when another similar incident occurred) the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights distinguished the two as separate events. Local sources reported the killing of 27 people, mostly

Summary

First published
December 21, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 27
(8 children)
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

November 10, 2018

Incident Code

CS1829

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between four and 26 civilians died in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the town of Hajin on November 10th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of others was injured. Sources claimed that many of the victims were women and children. Sana News put the death toll at four, reporting that “the US-led coalition carried

Summary

First published
November 10, 2018
Last updated
March 17, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 26
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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

April 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI055

LOCATION

الوائلية, Al Waelyiah, Nineveh, Iraq

Abdarahman Alloizi MP, a deputy in the Iraqi parliament, claimed that as many as 26 civilians from one family died, when the coalition struck a house near Mosul, in the village of Al Waeliyah. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
April 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
26
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS1596

LOCATION

التوسعية, Ar Raqqah: Tawwassoui'ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

As many as 26 civilians were killed, including a family of six, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah’s Al Tawsuya neighbourhood, according to local media. Despite initial uncertainty of the date, Amnesty reported that the strike occurred on the 8th October 2017.  In a private message to Airwars, RBSS said the victims died on

Summary

First published
October 8, 2017
Last updated
March 23, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
26
(11 children5 women10 men)
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
21 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI392

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources told Mosul Ateka that 26 civilians from four families were killed when their home was bombed by Coalition strikes. There are no additional accounts of this alleged incident at the moment.  

Summary

First published
January 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
26
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI192

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

As many as 26 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Ar Rutbah, in Anbar province. A video released by Daesh-linked Al A’amaq showed an apparent ‘double-tap’ strike when the location was again bombed shortly afterwards. The Yagen agency reported that “aggressive Coalition strikes killed ten civilians and wounded

Summary

First published
February 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 26
(9 children6 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
25
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 9, 2018

Incident Code

CS1827

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that between 11 and 26 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin, in what some sources described as “a massacre”.  In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for just one death in this event, with their monthly civilian casualty report noting: “Near Hajin, Syria, via media report. Coalition aircraft conducted

Summary

First published
November 9, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 26
(2–3 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI543

LOCATION

المحطة, Mosul, Al Mahatta, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents told journalists of the French newspaper Mediapart that 26 people were killed after an airstrike reportedly carried out by an “American-built F-16” targeted an ISIL combatant who was sitting on the roof of their house. A young girl was also severely injured. The report by Mediapart.fr [in translation] reads: “In the neighbourhood of

Summary

First published
March 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
26
(2 children2 women)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2018

Incident Code

CS1727

LOCATION

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 8 and 25 civilians reportedly died and as many as “dozens” were injured as a result of a claimed Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Sha’afa. An Abu Kamal local later told Al-Hail that the bombardment had wounded “mostly women and children”. Orient News carried the most detailed report, noting that “Local sources

Summary

First published
February 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 25
Civilians reported injured
4–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

July 1, 2016

Incident Code

CI262

LOCATION

زانكورة, Zankura, Al Anbar, Iraq

Up to 25 internally displaced Iraqis were reported killed in Zankura following alleged Coalition strikes and Iraqi government shelling. Iraqi Revolution reported the martyrdom of at least 25 civilians, mostly women and children, in a massacre by the international Coalition and [Iraqi] government aircraft following the bombing of the home of Saleh Hajji at Zankura,

Summary

First published
July 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
(6 children6 women)
Civilians reported injured
2
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 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI545

LOCATION

Mosul, Hermat, Iraq

Local eyewitnesses reported the deaths of 25 civilians following an air or artillery strike on the hermit area of West Mosul. An unpublished Amnesty International field investigation was shared with Airwars: ““On the street we were staying, in my uncle’s house, three houses were levelled by one attack, around 12pm on 15 March. I don’t

Summary

First published
March 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
(2 children2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Incident Code

CI203

LOCATION

الثقافية, Mosul, cultural group area, Nineveh, Iraq

At least 15 civilians were claimed killed alongside 40 or more Daesh fighters, in an alleged Coalition air raid on Mosul. NRN News first flashed at around noon local time “the fall of dozens of civilians by bombings on both sides of the city. More soon.” In a later bulletin, the news agency said the

Summary

First published
March 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 25
(3 men)
Civilians reported injured
30–103
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS420 TS030

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

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

Summary

First published
December 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 25
(3–7 children3–10 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
11 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 2, 2017

Incident Code

CI682

LOCATION

Mosul, Al Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq

Twenty five or more civilians were reported killed following a battle in the Hermat area of West Mosul. It was unclear whether Iraqi forces and/or the Coalition were responsible. Amnesty International provided the following field report to Airwars citing an eyewitness: “On 2 May, in the early morning, there was a big attack on my

Summary

First published
May 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
13
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 25, 2018

Incident Code

CS1730

LOCATION

ظهرة العلواني, Zahret Al Alwni, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that 10 to 25 civilians had been killed and dozens wounded as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Zahret Al Alwni – an IDP camp located between Al Sousse and Al Sha’afa. Most sources reported that 16 non combatants had died. According to most reports, the victims of the airstrike

Summary

First published
February 25, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 25
(7 children6 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
Named victims
4 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

CI610

LOCATION

الشفاء, Mosul, Shafa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that 16 civilians were killed and many were injured in Coalition and Iraqi government airstrikes on Al-Shafaa neighbourhood in West Mosul. In September 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh mortar position. Regrettably, 16 civilians were unintentionally

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16 – 25
Civilians reported injured
3–25
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI257

LOCATION

بادوش, Badush, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that 25 civilians were killed and 48 wounded following an alleged Coalition targeted residential neighbourhoods in Badush, north-west of Mosul. Iraqi Revolution reported “dozens of raids, while Iraqi Spring Media said four families were killed. The US later confirmed two separate casualty incidents in Mosul that day from the strikes – but

Summary

First published
June 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
Civilians reported injured
48
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 1, 2017

Incident Code

CI597

LOCATION

several neighbourhoods in West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that up to 25 civilians were killed and between 23 and 26 injured in airstrikes and artillery shelling in various neighbourhoods in West Mosul. Fareek Al-Morasleen said on Facebook that US airstrikes and artillery had led to the casualties. The other source did not say who was responsible.

Summary

First published
April 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 25
Civilians reported injured
23–26
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

June 24, 2017

Incident Code

CI786

LOCATION

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 25 civilians were killed and others were injured as a result of airstrikes hitting four houses in Old Mosul. Three houses were located in Al-Farouk Street, near the electricity generator of Mohammed Al-Durra, and a fourth house was hit in the Al-Makawin area. Khudash Mustfa said on Facebook that the international

Summary

First published
June 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 25
(1 child)
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

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

June 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1012

LOCATION

جامع المنصوري, Al Mansouri mosque, Raqqa, Syria

A total of 25 civilians including one woman and 10 children died in SDF/Coalition shelling near the Al Mansouri mosque in Raqqa, according to local media. The US-led Coalition later conceded the event following an Amnesty field investigation. Multiple reports said that a home near the mosque was hit with artillery or mortar shells or

Summary

First published
June 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
(1–10 children2 women5 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1253

LOCATION

قرب مدرسة طارق بن زياد, Near Tariq Bin Ziad School, Raqqa, Syria

Up to 25 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike near the Tariq Bin Ziad school in Raqqa, according to local sources. Damaspost put the death toll as high as 25, reporting “sources said that the American coalition fighters directly targeted Tariq ibn Ziyad School of Raqqa city center, and

Summary

First published
July 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 25
(3 children1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS388

LOCATION

مزرعة ميسلون, Maysalon Farms, Raqqa, Syria

As many as 25 civilians were reported killed following alleged Coalition evening airstrikes in the Maysalon farmlands area north of Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory reported two civilian deaths from Coalition actions – while others placed the death toll at 10, 16 and even 25. According to Step News, those killed were internally displaced peple from

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 25
(9 children)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2018

Incident Code

CS1865

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike killed up to 25 civilians according to sources on the ground. The dead reportedly included the families of two ISIS fighters. A single source, Suriye UAD Facebook page, reported that five civilians were killed including a woman, whereas other sources such as Step News and Baladi News reported that as many

Summary

First published
December 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 25
(6–7 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
17
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
13 named, 2 families identified
View Incident