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

November 25, 2014

Incident Code

CS031

LOCATION

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria

There were claims that a ‘civilian male’, named as Dergham Karah Ali, was killed in a Coalition airstrike on the village of Binnish in Idlib governorate. However, two videos later emerged challenging Ali’s non-combatant status. One showed him singing a moderate resistance song. The second video, posted by Islamic State, indicated that Ali had later

Summary

First published
November 25, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS1618a

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 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 states that “An

Summary

First published
October 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4
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

January 29, 2015

Incident Code

CS048

LOCATION

الطيانة, Eastern Al Buwaida or Kobane, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A non-combatant civilian male, Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Bkar, from the town of Al Kussair near Homs was reported killed in an airstrike. While Syrian Martyrs attributed the strike to the Coalition, VDC blamed the Assad regime. Other reports were unclear. The location of the man’s death was also confused, given variously as Kobane in

Summary

First published
January 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested 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
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

January 29, 2016

Incident Code

CS170

LOCATION

دادات, Dadat, Aleppo, Syria

A young child was killed in either a Coalition or a Russian airstrike near Al Dadat, on the road to Jarablus. Ara News blamed the attack on Russia, while Shaam News and Halab Today among others said the US-led Coalition was responsible. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that

Summary

First published
January 29, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(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

September 10, 2016

Incident Code

CS307

LOCATION

المزيونة, Mazyoneh, Aleppo, Syria

The VDC listed a 33 year old civilian male as a victim of alleged coalition warplane shelling. His name was given as Taha al Afara. According to Manbij Mother of all the World, Tahal al Afara was killed and “his two brothers Khalaf and Hassan wounded in a coalition strike on his brother’s home in

Summary

First published
September 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS869

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah - Deir Ezzor road, Raqqa, Syria

A taxi driver was killed by an airstrike, according to local reports. The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that a man was killed by unidentified warplanes on a road near Deir Eizzor. The report said he was a driver. HRO also named him, as did Euphrates Post, which identified him as a taxi driver. That

Summary

First published
May 26, 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

CS1002

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian male was reportedly killed as a result of artillery fire supported by Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa, local sources said. All three sources which reported the incident identified the victim as Samir Mohammed al Ali Al Ashayer, who is also known as Abu Mohammed. Both the Palmyra Media Center and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered

Summary

First published
June 15, 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

June 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1078

LOCATION

امن الدولة, Amn Al Dawla, Raqqa, Syria

Two local sources named one civilian male as killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Amn Al Dawla area. According to Ahmad al Shibli, the victim was originally from Maskana, east of Aleppo.

Summary

First published
June 25, 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 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1107

LOCATION

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian female was indirectly killed following a heart attack said to be caused by hearing airstrikes on Al Tayba in Mayadeen, local sources reported. Sharqiya Voice reported that the airstrikes hit the houses of Hassan al Hanan, Bashar al Hanan, Sufian al Hanan and Ghassan al Hanan and reported that a number of people

Summary

First published
June 27, 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1134

LOCATION

حي المشلب, Al Mashlab, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian male was killed following airstrikes into Raqqa, local sources reported, however it was not clear who was responsible. He was reportedly from the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of the city. All five sources who reported the incident did not make any claims as to who was responsible for the airstrikes. However, only the Coalition

Summary

First published
July 1, 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 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1415

LOCATION

Bedo, Raqqa, Syria

More than one civilian was killed by suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Bedou neighbourhood, Raqqa. Mohamad.othman.7503 posted photographs on Facebook of extensive material destruction on the “health, housing – Hawara School District”, whilst other sources published graphic photographs of civilians who were reported killed. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered later reported on 4th September “The

Summary

First published
August 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

September 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS1550

LOCATION

المیادین, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of Fadia Eissa Al Hamada, former director of Al Hussein School, the wife of Eng. Abdul Turki ‘Abu Abdullah’ as a result of the barbaric bombardment of their house”. Marsad Al Hasaka also reported the woman’s death, though neither source said who was to blame.

Summary

First published
September 29, 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS1617

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian male died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah city, local media reported. There is limited information at present, Airwars will update the entry when new details arise.  

Summary

First published
October 10, 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

July 1, 2018

Incident Code

CS1777

LOCATION

السراجية, Al Sarajiya, Al Hassakah, Syria

According to local sources, a civilian identified as Sayed Khader Mohammed was killed in an artillery bombardment on the village of al Sarajiya. Three sources, apparent carbon copies of each other, reported that a civilian was killed “as a result of artillery bombardment”, but did not identify a culprit. Samidon Press stated that the individual

Summary

First published
July 1, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2019

Incident Code

CS1317a

LOCATION

الفردوس, near Raqqa, Syria, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Raqqa. In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted the following: “Coalition aircraft conducted two airstrikes and one artillery strike. The airstrikes targeted one ISIS weapons cache and one ISIS command and control facility. Regrettably, one civilian

Summary

First published
August 2, 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

February 17, 2015

Incident Code

CI040

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, multiple neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

According to a single source, local eyewitness claimed one unnamed civilian was killed and five others were severely injured after the coalition allegedly bombed several areas in Makhmoor, south of Mosul  

Summary

First published
February 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

July 13, 2019

Incident Code

CS1923

LOCATION

بادية (فليطح) فلطيح, Faltih (Fletih) desert (Badit Faltih), Deir Ezzor, Syria

Abed Abdullah al-Numan, a shepherd from the town of Al Tayana, was killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike when he was out working in the Faltih(Fletih) desert (Badit Faltih), north of Deir Ezzor – near the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to local media. Suriye u.a.d. reported that the victim was killed by a Coalition helicopter, whereas

Summary

First published
July 13, 2019
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

Incident date

September 5, 2015

Incident Code

CS121

LOCATION

تل براك, Tall Birak, or villages to the south, Al Hassakah, Syria

Reports emerged on the evening of September 5th that a 13-year old boy named as Abboud Al Kharnoub may have died in a Coalition strike in the vicinity of Tal Brak near al Hassakah. Baladi News also reported that a number of women were injured, without giving further details. It also said that the casualties

Summary

First published
September 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2015

Incident Code

CS161

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

According to reports a car which was carrying a family reportedly fleeing the violence in Syria was itself struck in an alleged Coalition airstrike, killing a young infant girl. Aisha Saleh Hassan al Hameedi was reported killed and her family injured when their car was struck near A’zaz, northern Aleppo. The family had been displaced

Summary

First published
December 29, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4
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 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS316

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria

A reported drone strike at al Tabaqa “led to the martyrdom of Ibrahim Mahmoud al Said and the injury of a woman and two children,” according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered. ISIL claimed the drone was American. VDC also named the victim, though said the aircraft as ‘unidentified’. The Syrian Network reported that “Fixed-wing international

Summary

First published
September 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
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

April 2, 2017

Incident Code

CI600

LOCATION

حي الفاروق, Mosul, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that warplanes hit civilians while they were on their way to bury a non-combatant who was killed by an earlier airstrike on Al Farouk neighborhood in West Mosul. Yaqein quoted press sources saying that “the warplanes bombarded the neighborhood of Al-Faruq and Mkawi on the right side of Mosul, killing and wounding

Summary

First published
April 2, 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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS708

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Al Tabaqa, Raqqa, Syria

In a second reported incident for the day, a single source, Smart News Agency, reported “warplanes targeted the Mohammed Al-Faris school in Al Tabaqa, killing two prisoners, one prisoner from SDF and the other a civilian, and wounding five others.” Smart said it was unable to identify the victims. A local source reported prisoners were

Summary

First published
April 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

May 16, 2017

Incident Code

CI718

LOCATION

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

Local sources reported that one civilian died and up to 30 civilians were still under the rubble in July 17 neighbourhood. Most sources do not say who was responsible – but one said it was the work of the Coalition. Omar Al Halbusi reported on Facebook that Al-Mutasim Abdelmohsen Al-Bagari is still under the rubble,

Summary

First published
May 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
31
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 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS929

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Euphrates Post reported the death of a one civilian male following suspected airstrikes. Reportedly “a player in the Euphrates Club” In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, it was reported that, “Obaida Jasem Zaghrout, 22, was killed while standing on the street by shrapnel when a passing

Summary

First published
June 6, 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

June 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1014

LOCATION

مسجد الجراكسة, near al Jaraksa mosque, Raqqa, Syria

One named civilian was killed in a Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling by the SDF on the area near al Jaraksa mosque, according to local media. @alrqqa.ahlna SDF artillery blamed SDF artillery for his death, while Ahmed Al Shebli aid he died in a Coalition raid. However, since SDF did not possess artillery in this

Summary

First published
June 16, 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

June 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1037

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One identified civilian male was killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported. The source provided no further details.  

Summary

First published
June 19, 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1222

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of a girl in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
July 17, 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

August 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1340

LOCATION

شارع الوادي, Al Wadi street, Raqqa, Syria

One male civilian died in an alleged Coalition artillery strike on Raqqa’s Al Wadi street, according to local media. Al hassaka Rasd, Al Raqqa Truth and other sources said he died in artillery shelling of Al Wadi street. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa. In April 2019 the Coalition

Summary

First published
August 6, 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 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1507

LOCATION

Jamaa al Shamati, Raqqa, Syria

Local media reported on the death of a civilian male following alleged US-led Coalition strikes in the Jamaa al Shamati area of Raqqah. Reports of his death came amidst reports of the destruction of Al Shamati mosque in Raqqa city, though only one source connected the death of Ahmed Taher al-Khatib with the destruction of the

Summary

First published
September 18, 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

October 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1625

LOCATION

السعدة, Al Sa'ada village, Al Hassakah, Syria

Local media reported unspecified civilian casualties following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes near Al Sa’ada village in the vicinity of Markada, Hasaka governorate, in the early hours of Sunday. People of the villages of Al-Harith, Al-Sa’dah Al-Gharbia, Al-Ashiteh Al-Gharbi, and Jana’a, all close to Markada, were reportedly displaced as a result of the air raids, Euphrates

Summary

First published
October 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
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
View Incident