US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

January 24, 2015

Incident Code

CI033

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

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

Summary

First published
January 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 19, 2015

Incident Code

CI059

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

In a likely US or British drone strike, a truck was inadvertently hit during an airstrike at Ar Rutbah, according to a declassified CENTCOM report. “2 seconds prior to weapon impact, a large truck inadvertently arrived at the checkpoint. The back section of the truck was possibly damaged during the strike.” The driver was observed

Summary

First published
April 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 19, 2015

Incident Code

CS082

LOCATION

عربيد, Arbeed, Raqqa, Syria

A reported 1am airstrike on the ISIL-occupied village of Arbeed was said to have killed two women at the home of Adel al Kharfan. Mr al Kharfan’s wife (a mother of six children) died along with her relative, the wife of Ismael al Kharfan and a mother of four. Mr al-Kharfan’s son later told SN4HR:

Summary

First published
June 19, 2015
Last updated
March 9, 2023
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI085

LOCATION

مجارين, Majareen, Nineveh, Iraq

According to local MP Abdulrahman al Louzi, a dozen male agricultural workers died when the Coalition struck the village of Majareen. Among the dead were said to be five brothers from one family. The men were reported to have been converting hay to animal feed at the time of the attack. According to al-Louzi, “I

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
12
(5–12 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
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

September 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI100

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source, NINA, alleged that the Coalition had killed 13 civilians during airstrikes on ISIS targets in the south of Mosul city. According to the National Iraqi News Agency, “33 civilians were martyred and wounded, including women and children, following aerial bombardment by the international Coalition which targeted residential areas in the south of Mosul,

Summary

First published
September 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
(7 children5 women)
Civilians reported injured
20
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
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Incident Code

CI120

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources reported that either government shelling or a warplane from the international Coalition struck civilians betwen noon and 1pm as they were using the Albu Shajal crossing point north of Fallujah, allegedly killing up to 14 non-combatants and injuring 12 more. According to Al Fallujah News there were two strikes at the crossing point,

Summary

First published
October 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 14
(6 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2015

Incident Code

CI143

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

At least ten civilians were reported killed and 13 or more injured, after a Coalition strike at 8.30am which targeted a Daesh IED facility also reportedly hit a next-door dairy factory in Mosul. According to the local Nineveh Reporters’ Network, the attack “killed all elements of the organization [Daesh] who were inside the booby-trapping plant,

Summary

First published
November 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 13
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
13–28
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 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI167

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, General hospital, Al Anbar, Iraq

Fallujah’s General Hospital was cited as reporting that seven people were killed – including five children and one woman – following an alleged Coalition airstrike. Three women and a child were also said to have been injured. However, the Iraqi Spring Media Center did not attribute the incident to any party. And artillery sheling of

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4
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

June 1, 2016

Incident Code

CS221

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Ten named civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes on the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of Raqqa. According to the local Civil Defence, “four civilians were martyred due to successive airstrikes by coalition warplanes on Mashlab neighbourhood according to local source.” The Syrian Observatory reported 10 civilian deaths from airstrikes in Al Mashlab and elsewhere in

Summary

First published
June 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(2 women)
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
Named victims
14 named, 4 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 27, 2016

Incident Code

CS242

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Up to seven civilians from one family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Manbij, according to multiple sources. Manbij Mother of the World placed the death toll at 7, though the Syrian Network reported that four died – including 2 children. However a local activist (whose account is now suspended by Twitter)

Summary

First published
June 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(2 children)
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 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI267

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

An alleged Coalition strike targeted the house of an ISIL commander named as Abu Hajar, said to be from Diyala province, also reportedly killed his whole family according to a single source.

Summary

First published
July 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

August 8, 2016

Incident Code

CS291

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

There were claims that two children died in northern Manbij as a result of Coalition strikes, though few specific details have emerged. The originator of the story may have been Al A’Amaq (ISIL’s news arm) which reported: “Urgent: two children killed following a US raid on north of Manbij city.” According to Shaam News, “very

Summary

First published
August 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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

CI286

LOCATION

الزاوية, Zawiyah, Al Anbar, Iraq

An unspecified number of civilian casualties may have occurred near Haditha Dam following a reported strike on an imminent ISIL assault. According to El Nel News, Coalition aircraft bombed a gathering of Daesh militants, killing dozens of terrorists and foiling an attack on the perimeter of Haditha Dam in Anbar province in western Iraq. Yaqein

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 1, 2016

Incident Code

CI314

LOCATION

الكرامة, Karama (Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq

According to a single local report that a family was killed by airstrikes in Karama, Mosul. Mosul Eye reported, an entire family was killed during a bombardment in Al-Karama neighbourhood. It said that no information about their number was available. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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

CI332

LOCATION

حمام العليل, Mosul, Hamam al Alil 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 reportedly hit Hamam al-Alil subdistrict of Mosul. Six members of one family (a married couple with four children) were killed and two other family members (a girl and a woman)

Summary

First published
November 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 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 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 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS407

LOCATION

المشيرفة, Al Msheirfa, Raqqa, Syria

Two families consisting of at least 11 people were killed at al Msheirfa in a Coalition airstrike, according to various sources. According to All 4 Syria, “18 civilians were killed in Al Msheirfa according to the initial death toll due to coalition warplane shelling. The warplanes targeted the house of Rajab Al-Ali Al-Hilal Al-Taweel and

Summary

First published
December 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 20
(2 children2 women2 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2016

Incident Code

CI379

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that up to 41 civilians died and a further 143 were injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes on eastern Mosul neighbourhoods in support of a renewed push to capture the city from ISIL. Iraqi Spring placed the death toll at 41, while MNN said at least 30 died. In its February 2017 civilian

Summary

First published
December 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30 – 41
Civilians reported injured
143
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 8, 2017

Incident Code

CI403

LOCATION

حي الحدباء, Mosul, Al-Hadba, Nineveh, Iraq

One civilian was reported killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes that targeted an ISIL member in a civilian vehicle, in the Hadbah neihbourhood in the northeast of Mosul.  

Summary

First published
January 8, 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
View Incident

Incident date

January 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI425

LOCATION

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, al-Jadid, Nineveh, Iraq

A UN report on the protection of civilians in the context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “In the afternoon of 14 January, airstrikes reportedly targeted the house of an ISIL local leader in the Mosul al Jadida neighbourhood of western Mosul. The attack resulted in the collapse of the targeted house

Summary

First published
January 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(4 children7 women)
Civilians reported injured
11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 29, 2017

Incident Code

CI443

LOCATION

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Isilah Zeraei / Agragarian Reform, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that seven civilians were killed and 19 others injured after Coalition airstrikes targeted a flour mill in the Agrarian Reform district at the right side of Mosul. Press sources had also reported that “the bombing caused considerable material damage to a number of civilian houses in the area (..)”

Summary

First published
January 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
19
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

February 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS485

LOCATION

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Bouwaitiya, Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported the deaths of seven civilians following US-led Coalition raids on a number of villages surrounding Raqqa. According to Smart News “a medical source, confirmed the arrival of seven dead civilians to the hospital and 14 wounded, including women and children in a critical condition, due to targeting by coalition aircraft the

Summary

First published
February 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
14
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 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI470

LOCATION

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

In a further incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition said in its July report that an allegation on social media of civilian casualties at Old Mosul had been assessed as Not Credible. According to the report “Feb. 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that

Summary

First published
February 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS530

LOCATION

حصيبة, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians died in an airstrike on Abu Kamal, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Iraqi warplanes. RFS Media said that the Coalition carried out a strike, though added that there was so far no reports of civilian casualties. Euphrates

Summary

First published
February 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
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 1, 2017

Incident Code

CI498

LOCATION

لجامع عمر الاسود في حي الفاروق, Mosul, Omar al-Aswad mosque, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that up to 80 civilians were killed or injured after Coalition or Iraqi airstrikes targeted the Omar mosque area in al-Faruq neighborhood in western Mosul. The mosque was used as a shelter by displaced families, according to the Niniva Media Center. Reuters cited three local witnesses, noting that “The Omar al-Aswad mosque,

Summary

First published
March 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
50 – 80
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
30
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 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI518

LOCATION

المنصور, Mosul, Al Mansour, Nineveh, Iraq

There were reports that children and women were killed or injured due to different kinds of shelling and airstrikes on Mansour neighborhood in West Mosul. @shvm_90 said in a Tweet: “Heavy shelling and brutal air and artillery aimed at reviving #right side [of Mosul] and the strongest was on #Mansour neighborhood and the fall of

Summary

First published
March 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 10
(2 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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

March 13, 2017

Incident Code

CI535

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press source said that up to 25 civilians were killed, mostly children and women, and 117 wounded due to an ongoing battle in downtown (Central) and Western Mosul. Both shelling and Coalition airstrikes were reported. Local residents and press sources said that airstrikes had heavily targeted the July 17, Rifai, Shifa, Bab

Summary

First published
March 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25 – 30
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
58–117
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 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI555

LOCATION

الجوسق, Mosul, Jawasaq, Nineveh, Iraq

In an event previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition said that no civilians were harmed on March 18th at Mosul, Jawasaq. The Coalition’s November 2017 casualty reported said: “After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.”

Summary

First published
March 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI569

LOCATION

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Laksh, behind Watan school, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source said that twenty civilians, including women and children, were killed by airstrikes and/ or indiscriminate shelling on the area behind Watan school in Bab Laksh neighbourhood in West of Mosul, on the evening of March 21st-22nd. A family member later posted: “My wife moved to God (passed away) – the daughter of

Summary

First published
March 21, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(1 child3 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
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2017

Incident Code

CI581

LOCATION

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Al Batool Hospital, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and press sources said that at least 15 civilians were killed and many more injured, mostly children and elderly people, by alleged Coalition airstrikes near Al Batool hospital in Zanjili. Al Amaq [ISIL press agency] posted a video of the strikes on YouTube. Free journalist (Facebook) posted six graphic photos of several reported

Summary

First published
March 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 85
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
2–215
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