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 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1258

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that one young male civilian had died from injuries sustained in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. On July 31st, Palmyra Media Centre reported that “the body of Ahmed Mohammed Salim al-Sabta was found a week after he was killed by an air strike.” This would put the date of his

Summary

First published
July 23, 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 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS1343

LOCATION

al Wadi street, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian, Mr. Abed Mahal al-Attiyah, was named as killed by a mortar shell which reportedly fell on his as he left evening prayers at al Hamza mosque, according to local media. Airwars understands that the SDF are using mortars in Raqqa, therefore they can’t be ruled out as the culprit. Additionally, a report by

Summary

First published
August 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1400

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Raqqa, Syria. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS weapons cache, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with the

Summary

First published
August 20, 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

August 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1428

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One young male civilian was killed in an alleged US-led Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. The date of the event and his death was unclear, though reporting on August 31st, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said he died “a few days ago”.

Summary

First published
August 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS1454

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian male from Deir Ezzor was reportedly killed in Raqqa, following airstrikes of the US-led Coalition. All known sources held the Coalition responsible for the attack. No additional details are available at present.

Summary

First published
September 8, 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 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1519

LOCATION

Deir Ez-Zor, Al Husseiniya crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Multiple local sources reported that one civilian, Mr. Khalil Ibrahim Al-Zaher, was killed as he tried “to get out of the city of Deir al-Zour near the Husseiniya crossing on the Euphrates River after an air raid.” Sources didn’t say who was responsible for the strike. The US-led Coalition informed Airwars that as a result

Summary

First published
September 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS1610

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A young civilian male (possibly a teenage boy) named as Khalil Ibrahim al-Shehab (pictured) reportedly died of his wounds following US-led Coalition airstrikes on the city of Raqqah “several days earlier”, local sources alleged. There is very limited information, and Airwars will update when any new details become available.

Summary

First published
October 8, 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

December 5, 2018

Incident Code

CS1867

LOCATION

البوبدران, Al Soussa: Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition airstrike killed one named adult civilian male, according to sources on the ground. One source by the name of Sami Aleweti, who appears to have been a family member, reported that the man, Jassim al Attawi, was killed in a “barbaric bombardment” by a Coalition aircraft on the village of Al-Boubadran in

Summary

First published
December 5, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 11, 2014

Incident Code

CS028

LOCATION

الشنان, Shanan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that a civilian male died in a coalition airstrike on the village of al Shanan near Dayr az Zawr. He was later named as Rashed Hamdan Al Abd Al Jassem. According to the Facebook page of local activist Abu Mohammad Al Dairi, al Jassem was one of 12 casualties from

Summary

First published
November 11, 2014
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, 2019

Incident Code

CS1930

LOCATION

بين معيزيلة و مراط‎, Between Mu'ayzila and Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The child Ali al-Ahmad was alleged killed at dawn during a landing operation carried out by the International Coalition. According to Shaam News, “a coalition landing operation with the SDF [targeted] a civilian home between the towns of Mu’ayzila and the village of Marat on the old road between Deir al-Zour and al-Hasakeh governorates.” Local

Summary

First published
September 4, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Cause of injury / death
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 7, 2015

Incident Code

CS091

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a casualty incident later confirmed by the US, its aircraft targeted a vehicle in the vicinity of Al Shefa Hospital in Raqaa, wounding seven civilians in the process. No fatalities were initially reported, but the hospital was reportedly damaged. In a Facebook posting marking the event, locals insisted that all of those injured were

Summary

First published
July 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
7
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 20, 2015

Incident Code

CS128

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

An internally displaced person, a young girl named as Fatima Hasan Al Steif from Aleppo, was allegedly killed by a Coalition strike according to sources. Fatima was said to be the daughter of Hasan Al Steif, and the family had been displaced from the town of Al Safira, in Aleppo province, to Raqaa. In its

Summary

First published
September 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Incident Code

CS155

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a casualty event previously unknown to Airwars, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that one civilian was killed during a US airstrike against a high value target in Raqqah. According to the official release, “On Dec. 10, 2015, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during strikes against Siful Sujan, an ISIL external operations planner, it was

Summary

First published
December 10, 2015
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
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

August 25, 2016

Incident Code

CS301

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of a young civilian male following an alleged Coalition strike on an ISIL prison. The group noted on August 28th: “Martyrdom of Khalil Al-Gharieb, detained by the organisation Daesh due to an international Coalition warplane raid several days before on the organization’s prison in the city of

Summary

First published
August 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 28, 2016

Incident Code

CI353

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an alleged incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition noted in January 2017 that Nov. 28, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: No Coalition strikes were conducted on structures in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties. A senior official later informed Airwars that the alleged incident had come to light as

Summary

First published
November 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS491

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported the deaths of at least one civilian at al Mansoura village near Raqqa. According to Smart News, “Local sources told our Smart reporter that planes likely to be the international coalition, launched raids on the towns of Mansoura and Hunaida in the western countryside, killing four civilians and seriously wounding seven

Summary

First published
February 13, 2017
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

May 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS794

LOCATION

مساكن الادخار, Masaken al Idkar, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was killed and seven others were injured in airstrikes “likely” carried out by the Coalition in Masaken al Iskhar neighbourhood, in Raqqa city, a local source told Smart News Agency. The victims were reportedly taken to Raqqa National Hospital. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
May 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS839

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Euphrates Post, “the International Alliance targeted an oil tanker in the al Hazzam area in the city of Albuqmal and killed the driver immediately.” The Step News Agency and the Shaam News Network also put the death toll at one and blamed the Coalition.  

Summary

First published
May 19, 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
View Incident

Incident date

June 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1025

LOCATION

الزعير, Al Zaer, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian was reportedly killed in an airstrike on Al Za’er village in Deir Ezzor, but it was not clear who was responsible, Smart News Agency reported. As the local agency noted, “The activist Mohammed Hassan, who relies on information from local sources said, that unidentified warplanes launched raids on the village, which led to

Summary

First published
June 18, 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

June 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI776

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Residents said that one civilian was killed and several wounded in an airstrike in the Rutba area. Yaqein reported that one civilian was killed and several wounded in a suspected Coalition attack. Iraqi Spring Media Center said that civilians were killed and wounded, but offered no numbers and did not assign blame.

Summary

First published
June 21, 2017
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1153

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian male identified as killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, Ahmed al Shibli reported. It is possible that Mr al Zaher may have been killed or injured in an earlier incident on June 28th where brothers with the same surname were killed, but that his name was not identified until now. No further

Summary

First published
July 4, 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

July 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1298

LOCATION

الرقة‎, near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike to suppress an ISIS defensive fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Coalition officials told Airwars that this

Summary

First published
July 29, 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

August 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS1325

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an event not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition self-reported a civilian harm event in July 2018, noting that it had unintentionally killed a civilian on a motorbike in the city centre of Raqqa. According to the report, “August 3, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via self-report. During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions,

Summary

First published
August 3, 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

September 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1553

LOCATION

المجاودة, Al Mojawedah/Al Aranessah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that one displaced woman was killed in a dawn raid on the home of Abbas Freih Al Salama in Al Mojawedah – though most sources did not identify who was responsible for the attack. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the warplanes responsible were “believed to be Russian”.

Summary

First published
September 30, 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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

March 26, 2018

Incident Code

CS1740

LOCATION

البوكمال, Near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In a previously unknown event, the UK for the first time admitted that its forces caused civilian harm during an airstrike against so-called Islamic State. In a written statement to Parliament on May 2nd, UK Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson MP stated that “one civilian was unintentionally killed,” when a UK Reaper drone

Summary

First published
March 26, 2018
Last updated
April 4, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
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
UK Military
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

September 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS1275 CS315

LOCATION

تل حسان, Tall Hassan, Aleppo, Syria

One named civilian died and between three and 15 others were injured in an airstrike on Tall Hassan’s main mosque, near Aleppo – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia, the Assad regime or the US-led Coalition were to blame. Lens Young Manbij reported that “A short while ago a Coalition raid on the

Summary

First published
September 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
3–15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2014

Incident Code

CS012

LOCATION

كۆبانی, Kobanî, Aleppo, Syria

A Kobanî official reported that a civilian – an 87 year old woman – and six Kurdish fighters from the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) died in a ‘friendly fire’ incident in the besieged city.It was also reported that two hospitals in the town had been destroyed. According to Sky News Arabia, Kurdish sources said that

Summary

First published
October 15, 2014
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

July 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1258a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one civilian was reportedly as killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The report stated that

Summary

First published
July 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Artillery
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 3, 2016

Incident Code

CS288

LOCATION

الراطونية, Al Ratouniya, Aleppo, Syria

A reported Coalition strike in the Jazeera roundabout area of al Ratouniya village was said to have killed a 27-year old local named as Ziab the son of Obeid al Ziab. According to the Manbij Documentation Agency the body was recovered three days later: “The young man Ziab the son of Obeid al Ziab from

Summary

First published
August 3, 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

November 9, 2016

Incident Code

CS369

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian was killed and several injured due to a Coalition attack, according to a local source. Step News Agency reported that a Coalition raid at dawn “targeting the IS security perimeter in the city of Raqqa” killed one civilian and wounded others “including women and children.”  

Summary

First published
November 9, 2016
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
View Incident