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

July 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1205

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported airstrike near the Crescent hospital in al Baghouz. According to Euphrates Post, a girl was killed and a woman and old man injured. The source didn’t identify the culprit. Other sources reported Coalition strikes in the vicinity but did not report civilian casualties. According to Shaam News the target of the attack

Summary

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

July 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1267

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported the death of one male civilian. Reports said he was killed by artillery shelling. It is Airwars understanding that only the Coalition is using artillery in Raqqa. Other sources – all blaming artillery shelling for the man’s death – said that he had been captured by IS and detained for the past

Summary

First published
July 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1407

LOCATION

حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria

A man was killed and five of his family injured following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Rumaila, Raqqa. According to Hasaka Rasd and Syrianfreearmy, “his wife and four children injured” in the attack. Ahmad Shbli reported an “intensive artillery bombardment” of the Al-Badu, Nahda and Rumaila areas of the city, but made no mention of

Summary

First published
August 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
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

September 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1517

LOCATION

near As Safiyah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another in an event near As Safiyah, Syria. Their February 2018 civilian casualty report noted, “The Coalition conducted a strike which destroyed a bridge across a canal being used by Daesh to move vehicle-borne

Summary

First published
September 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1541

LOCATION

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source, Deir Ezzor 24, said that one civilian was killed following strikes by unknown aircraft on the house of Farouk al Mashouk – known as the ‘Mufti’s house’ – which was being used by Daesh as a prison. The correspondent said the raid had resulted in the death of the prisoner Laith Allawi

Summary

First published
September 28, 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 5, 2018

Incident Code

CS1707

LOCATION

الجردي, Al Jarthi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On January 8th, Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of Khalid al-Turkawi, a displaced man from Homs governorate, from wounds he sustained as a result of a military air strike targeting his car during the attack on the town of al-Jarthi.” The victim was also named by Syrian Human Rights Committee which blamed “a military air

Summary

First published
January 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Incident Code

CS1715a

LOCATION

البحرة, Barah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Barah. The UK later confirmed this was an RAF strike. In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted: “Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS fighter operating a motorcycle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as

Summary

First published
January 20, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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
View Incident

Incident date

May 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI243

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Mosul. Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “during a strike against ISIL fighters, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its weapon.” In July

Summary

First published
May 26, 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

June 22, 2016

Incident Code

CS239

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

One male civilian was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, according to two local sources. Halab News Network reported that he died when a Daesh vehicle carrying him was targeted, as he was being moved to the terrorist organisation’s prison. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that

Summary

First published
June 22, 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

September 12, 2016

Incident Code

CS309

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

In a previously unknown civilian casualty incident, CENTCOM reported on September 13th that civilians may have been killed or injured after a non-ISIL vehicle strayed into a strike kill box. “On Sep. 12, near Ash Shaddadah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target

Summary

First published
September 12, 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 21, 2016

Incident Code

CS384

LOCATION

بعاص, Bia'as, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Bi’as. According to Syria News Desk, “a civilian was killed and six others injured this morning, due to coalition aircraft targeted with three raids the village of Ba’as in northern Raqqa.” Raqqa News named the victim.  

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2016

Incident Code

CS401

LOCATION

كبش غربي, Kabish Gharbi, Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported civilian casualties following an alleged Coalition raid at Khabish Gharbi. According to Smart News, “one civilian was killed and others wounded in coalition raids on the village of Kabish Gharbi north of Raqqa.” In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016,

Summary

First published
December 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

February 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS536

LOCATION

Desert road SW of Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition reported that one civilian died near Raqqa. In its June 2017 casualty report it said: “During a strike on ISIS oil tankers, after warning shots were fired to dislodged drivers from the vehicles, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars

Summary

First published
February 25, 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

March 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI525 CS562

LOCATION

السنجك, Sanjak, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources said that an airstrike targeted ISIL members on the Iraq-Syria border, which also resulted in the death of a civilian woman. Unusually, the incident was attributed to both sides of the border. Geolocation by Airwars volunteer Christiaan Triebert (see map below) has concluded that they are almost certainly the same incident. On the

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
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
View Incident

Incident date

March 28, 2017

Incident Code

CI586

LOCATION

Mosul, Matahin, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Mosul, Iraq. The June 2017 civilian casualty report noted, “March 28, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike to crater roads used by ISIS VBIEDs against Iraqi Security Forces, it was assessed that one civilian was

Summary

First published
March 28, 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

April 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS684

LOCATION

مفرق مدينة الطبقة, Tabaqah Junction, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqa Junction, according to local sources. @Mohab_Naser and other sources reported that he was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a Coalition warplane. But according to Al Raqqa Truth and @Q_Alenezy, a Coalition raid hit the car he was in while he was driving another

Summary

First published
April 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 22, 2017

Incident Code

CI659

LOCATION

Mosul, al Haramat, 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 July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on ISIS construction equipment, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian who was not observed during the engagement was unintentionally

Summary

First published
April 22, 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

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

CI681

LOCATION

Mosul, Al Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq

One child was killed and three others were injured in a suspected mortar strike by an unknown party on their family home. Amnesty International provided the following field report to Airwars citing an eyewitness: ”On 1 May, I was sitting in the house, which is about 600-700 metres away from al-Haq mosque. There were 16

Summary

First published
May 1, 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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

May 8, 2017

Incident Code

CI696

LOCATION

17 تموز, Mosul, Tammuz / July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq

In its July 2017 monthly casualty report, the Coalition said it had killed a civilian in the Tammuz 17 area of Mosul. The man’s family reported his name as Laith Azhar Saadallah al-Obeidi. According to the report, “during a strike on an ISIS command and control node, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally

Summary

First published
May 8, 2017
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

May 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS846

LOCATION

مزارع الروضة, Mazare al Rawda, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian man was reportedly killed and a number of others injured by alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa city. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Al Raqqa Truth named the victim who was from the Rumaila neighbourhood, and have provided a photo of him. Both sources, alongside the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, alleged that

Summary

First published
May 21, 2017
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

May 31, 2017

Incident Code

CS896

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that one of the founders of the IS media agency A’maq was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike targeting his home in Al Mayadin. Sources said that his daughter was also killed in the strike and his wife injured. Euphrates Post reported: “The death of Bara Kadak, known as Rayan Mishal,

Summary

First published
May 31, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS948

LOCATION

سيف الدولة, 23rd February road junction / Saif al Dawla, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources named Hassan Aliya aka Abou Ammar as dying from wounds sustained in “artillery shelling” at the junction of 23rd February Street and Saif al Dawla Street. Sources did not identify who was responsible for the shelling, however, the Coalition has informed Airwars that the SDF is not using artillery (only heavy mortars).

Summary

First published
June 9, 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 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1004

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A named civilian female was reportedly killed in artillery fire in Raqqa. No further details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
June 15, 2017
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

June 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1055 RS2300

LOCATION

طيبة, Al Taybeh, Homs, Syria

One male baby was named as a victim of an airstrike on Raqqa by some local sources. However, this appears to have been a reporting error – with the child in fact likely to have been killed in a Russian, regime or Coalition airstrike on al Taybeh, east of Palmyra. MC Palmyra added that members

Summary

First published
June 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS1246

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa according to local media. All sources blamed the Coalition, though offered little detail on the event.

Summary

First published
July 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1445

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Local media reported on the death of on civilian following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City. All sources blamed the Coalition for the attack and loss of life. Eldorar news reported “69 air raids launched by the international coalition aircraft” in a 48 hour period, resulting in the death of 20 civilians and the wounding

Summary

First published
September 4, 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

September 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS1471

LOCATION

Al Ferdos, Raqqa, Syria

Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently named one civilian as killed “as a result of the shelling” of Raqqa. However, there is the possibility that this may be the same incident as CS1469, in the neighbourhood of Al Ferdous, on September 11th.

Summary

First published
September 11, 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

September 30, 2018

Incident Code

CS1801

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian died after being hit by “SDF artillery” in al Soussa, according to local media. It is Airwars’ understanding however that only the Coalition had access to artillery in the near region at that time. On October 1st, Boukamlna reported that “Nuri Rifai Al Ali Al Dagher died in Damascus yesterday [Sept 30th] from

Summary

First published
September 30, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Syrian Democratic Forces, US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2018

Incident Code

CS1857

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin , Deir Ezzor, Syria

A named male civilian was reported killed in a confirmed Coalition air or artillery strike on Hijan when it struck his home. All sources blamed the Coalition for the event. Some sources reported that the incident was on November 24th and others on the 25th. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the Coalition

Summary

First published
November 24, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS981a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes 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. According to the report “Fadi Qahir

Summary

First published
June 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
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