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

April 5, 2016

Incident Code

CI215

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A likely targeted operation in Mosul killed ISIL’s media chief in the city when his car was struck – but also reportedly slew his wife and five children. The nighttime attack reportedly killed Daesh ‘Media Minister’ Abdel Qader in his car in the vicinity of the city’s Saddam Hospital. However, according to NRN News, “his

Summary

First published
April 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(5 children1 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
View Incident

Incident date

May 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS209

LOCATION

دابق‎, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria

A 6-year old girl was reported killed in an alleged Coalition raid on the town of Dabiq, though the alliance has denied responsibility. VDC has named the victim as Sara al Naser. In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event, saying that it conducted no strikes nearby that day:

Summary

First published
May 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2016

Incident Code

CS228

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

A reported Coalition airstrike on the agricultural secondary school in Manbij – being used as a temporary prison by so called Islamic State – led to the deaths of between 8 and 20 civilian captives according to local reports. Smart News reported: “Our reporter explained that raids carried out by international coalition aircraft targeted a

Summary

First published
June 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 20
Civilians reported injured
50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS251

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

In what may be the same or a separate incident to the one above, a family of seven was reported killed after their house was destroyed in an alleged Coalition strike on Manbij on ‘the third day of Eid.’ Details of the deaths emerged in a letter received by Manbij Direct: “A humanitarian call regarding

Summary

First published
July 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(3 children3 women1 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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 21, 2016

Incident Code

CS277

LOCATION

الحمر الشرقية, Hamr ar Shaqiya, Aleppo, Syria

A number of sources reported the deaths of three civilians in an alleged Coalition event, with two alleged victims named as Abu Shaman and his father. However a local Facebook site insisted the claims were “totally untrue… Everything is normal and nothing is happening.” According to Shaam News, “In the eastern countryside, battles are at

Summary

First published
July 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 22, 2016

Incident Code

CI280

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

According to various reports, 10 people were killed and 20 injured following an alleged Coalition strike at Qayyarah targeting by mistake civilians houses. Al Qayyarah Now – which described the strike as accidental – said children were among the dead. The Arabi Asad blog said two families died. Other local reports described heavy shelling of

Summary

First published
August 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Incident Code

CS365

LOCATION

الهيشةة, Al Hīshah, Raqqa, Syria

As many as 24 civilians were killed in attacks – possibly carried out by both SDF and Coalition – according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered initially reported 7 victims killed “in the international coalition raids and Kurdish militia artillery.” It later released an updated casualty assessment, counting 23 victims as victims of

Summary

First published
November 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 24
(2–6 children5–9 women)
Civilians reported injured
30
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
16 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Incident Code

CS381

LOCATION

بعاص, Bia'as, Raqqa, Syria

Between 8 and 11 civilians died in what both the Syrian Network and Syrian Observatory called a ‘massacre’ – following alleged Coalition strikes on Bia’as. According to Shaam News Network, “clashes [between ISIL and SDF] have moved into the centre of Tal Al Samin where international coalition aircraft, has launched dozens of air raids on

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 11
(2 children)
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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2016

Incident Code

CS418

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, al Thani, Raqqa, Syria

Four to five civilians were reported killed and ten injured in a Coalition airstrike on al Tabaqa. According to most sources a possible civilian woman, two men and two children died in the attack. According to ISIL’s media wing “a child and a woman and man [were] killed and 10 people injured as a result

Summary

First published
December 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1 child1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
10
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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI398

LOCATION

حي سومر, Mosul, Sumer, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said civilians were killed and injured after Coalition Apache helicopters targeted a market in Sumer neighborhood, southeast of Mosul, with machine guns. On the same day, a young man named as Mostafa al Lahibi was reported killed by unspecified shells in the same neighbourhood.

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
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 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS442 RS1829

LOCATION

شارع تل أبيض, Tal abyad Street, Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were killed – including a girl and a man – and others were wounded, following an airstrike on a bakery and a falafel restaurant in Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame, some blaming the US led Coalition, and others blaming Russian warplanes. The Coalition later denied

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
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, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS459 TS062

LOCATION

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Two named children died in either Turkish or Coalition airstrikes on Tadef. According to the Syrian Network “The children So’ad and Jonaid Fares Al Ali died after International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Tadef town in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs.” However according to al Bab News, “Turkish planes launched three raids at dawn today killing two from the family

Summary

First published
January 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
(2 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Turkish Military
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS478

LOCATION

الغدفة, Al Ghadafeh, Idlib, Syria

A 15-year old boy named as Mohammad Haj Ahmad was reported by VDC as having been killed by the Coalition. The boy came from Al-Ghadefeh – though it is unclear whether this is where he died. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

First published
February 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS526

LOCATION

جليب خليل, Jleib Khalil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source, the Smart news agency, reported that three civilians died and five were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the villages of Khuytar and Jleib Khalil, north west of Raqqa. According to Smart, “the sources said that the warplanes targeted the villages of Khuytar and the mosque in the village of Jleib

Summary

First published
February 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS540

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria

A reported Coalition strike on an ISIL HQ which killed and injured up to a dozen militants also led to the injuring of three civilians, according to a single source. According to Smart News Coalition planes launched an attack at al Mansoura “on an ISIL headquarters, killing five elements and wounding six others, including a

Summary

First published
February 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 6, 2017

Incident Code

CI513

LOCATION

محطة القطارٌ, Mosul, Central railway station, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents and security sources reported that up to 33 civilians (mostly former Iraqi and police officers) died after Coalition airstrikes targeted the railway station at the right side of Mosul. The sources reported that the Coalition had ‘mistakenly’ targeted the train station, which killed up to 33 people (25 -33 civilians and eight ISIL

Summary

First published
March 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
18 – 33
Civilians reported injured
8–24
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

March 10, 2017

Incident Code

CI533

LOCATION

Mosul, al Uamal, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “March 10, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report:After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed

Summary

First published
March 10, 2017
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

March 16, 2017

Incident Code

CI548

LOCATION

Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “76. March 16, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: The report contained insufficient information on the time,

Summary

First published
March 16, 2017
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

March 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS599

LOCATION

السبخة, Sabka, Raqqa, Syria

Up to fourteen civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Sabka village, according to multiple local sources. The Shaam News Network was among sources reporting the injury of 10 civilians in a Coalition strike, while Syria News Desk put the number of wounded at 14.  

Summary

First published
March 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
10–14
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

March 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS620

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians including one woman died in an alleged Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling of Tabaqa, according to local sources. Akhbari Now reported that “Coalition Warplanes reached the First neighbourhood and the Villat area and the garage in Tabaqa city and killed a man and his wife, while their two children were wounded.” Alaraby and

Summary

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

March 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS644

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, Coalition aircraft “targeted a pick-up vehicle belonging to IS with a missile inside the town, killing two people [militants], while a civilian was killed on a motorcycle by another missile from the same aircraft.” In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible

Summary

First published
March 30, 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

April 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS661

LOCATION

سلحبية, Salhabiya, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, two civilian fishermen were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a ferry between the two banks of the Euphrates River in the western village of Al-Sahlabiya. Local sources told Smart that the victims were killed as they were transporting cars between the two banks. Step News Agency also

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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

April 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI623

LOCATION

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source – the local Facebook group of the Jarjria tribe – said that a son of the family of Muhammad Daham Murad al-Jarjari from the village of Jasa was killed in an airstrike on Yarmouk neighbourhood in West Mosul. It was unclear from the report who carried out the strike. In its June

Summary

First published
April 9, 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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 14, 2017

Incident Code

CI638

LOCATION

رأس الجادة, Mosul, Ras Al Jadda, Nineveh, Iraq

Two local sources reported that seven civilians from one family died when an airstrike or bombardment hit their house in Ras Al Jadda neighbourhood in the old part of Mosul. The victims were named by MNN and Sawlf Ateka (local Facebook group) as: Wa’ed Ali Saleh al-Sharifi, his wife, sons Ali and Nashwan, his daughter

Summary

First published
April 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(3 women3–4 men)
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS709

LOCATION

حي الاسكندرية, Al Iskanderia, Al Tabaqa, Raqqa, Syria

Between two and five civilians died and up to seven more were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqa, local media reported. According to Syria Mirror, “field activists said that the Coalition aircraft launched several air raids on the residential communities in the city of Al Tabaqa, killing seven people, including two members of IS

Summary

First published
April 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
Civilians reported injured
7
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

April 26, 2017

Incident Code

CI665

LOCATION

حاوي الكنيسة, Mosul, Hawi al Kanassa, Nineveh, Iraq

Seven family members – including five children – died in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Hawi Al Kanissa neighbourhood early on Wednesday, locals said. Sources furthermore reported to Yaqein Agency that “the military bombardment of the neighborhood has caused considerable material damage to the houses of citizens near the targeted house.” All sources said the Coalition

Summary

First published
April 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(5 children)
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

April 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS753

LOCATION

حي الوهب, Tabaqah, Al Wahab (First Neighbourhood), Raqqa, Syria

Seven civilians including a family of five died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Al Wahab neighbourhood of Al Tabaqa, according to local sources – though there is currently some uncertainty about the date of the event. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, “the family of Ali al Mabrouk made up of five

Summary

First published
April 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(5 women)
Civilians reported injured
12
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
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS770

LOCATION

رقة السمرة, Raqqa al Samra, Raqqa, Syria

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, one child “died after he was hit with shrapnel when Coalition planes targeted Daesh trucks while they were setting up barriers on the edges of al Ballikh river near the village of Raqqa al Samra east of the city”. Al Raqqa Truth, SHRC and the Shaam News Network

Summary

First published
May 5, 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

May 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI706

LOCATION

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

A local report said that a family was killed in shelling in the Tammuz neighborhood of western Mosul. Ninawa Media Center reported that a father, son and the son’s daughter were all killed by shelling in Tammuz. As the report noted, “My dear brother, a random bombardment of July near the Mufti Mosque claimed the

Summary

First published
May 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
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 13, 2017

Incident Code

CI710

LOCATION

راوة, Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq

In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for an incident it said was reported by an NGO, but which Airwars was unaware of. The Coalition reported: “May 13, 2017, near Rawa, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in

Summary

First published
May 13, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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