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

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1482 RS2440

LOCATION

طابية شامية, Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that five people were killed following airstrikes on Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir Ezzor Governorate. Three of those who died were named in two separate reports from Euphrates Post. Sources said the location of the incident was the “water crossing” at Tabiyeh Shamieh. According to the Syrian Observatory some civilians were “permanently disabled” following

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 women2 men)
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1511

LOCATION

Al Nahda neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah’s Al Nahda neighbourhood, according to local media. The victims were named by multiple sources. Palmyra Media Centre reported the rest of the family were presently unaccounted for. In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible,

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1537

LOCATION

Al Badou area, Raqqa, Syria

Local media reported that an unspecififed number of civilians were wounded in a strike near the water company or water foundation in Raqqah’s al Badou neighbourhood. The Step News Agency blamed the Coalition, while other sources also reported a raid on the area but did not apportion blame. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
September 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1565

LOCATION

التوسعية, Al Tawassiya, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that 16 to 45 people were killed in a mass civilian casualty incident on al Tawassi’ya neighbourhood, Raqqah city. Some reports said that a shelter in the Traffic park area had been struck, while others said two buildings were hit. The lowest overall death toll of “at least 19” came from the

Summary

First published
October 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19 – 45
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

October 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1597

LOCATION

التوسعية, Ar Raqqah: Tawwassoui'ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Six civilians died in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Tawaswiya neighbourhood, according to local media. The citizen journalist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently documented: Omar Al-Ashqar, Yasser Bakour, Khalid Al Hussein and a girl whose name was not mentioned, as the victims. News of their death came amidst reports of considerable aerial bombardment

Summary

First published
October 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 child3 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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS1628

LOCATION

البدو, Raqqa city: Baidou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

13 civilians were killed – including nine from one family – due to the “bombing of the International Air Force on the city of Raqqa during the battle for control of the city”. Kurdish news agency Hawar later published an interview with a survivor named as Yazan Abdulrahman Mohammad, in which it was stated that in

Summary

First published
October 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
(5 children4 women4 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
13 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1657 RS2668

LOCATION

البصيرة, Al Busayrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two named civilians died and up to 23 others were wounded in an airstrike on al Busayrah according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. Baladi, Jisr TV and Sharqiya Voice all blamed the Coalition. Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of the young

Summary

First published
November 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
4–23
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
5 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2018

Incident Code

CS1720

LOCATION

البحرة, Al Bahra village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Multiple sources reported the death of eleven civilians and seven or more wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahra village, northwest of the town of Hajin. A tweet from @BassamJaara was the only source with an estimated tally of more than 30 casualties, claiming that: “More than 30 people, mostly children and women,

Summary

First published
February 2, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 30
Civilians reported injured
7–24
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

May 12, 2018

Incident Code

CS1750

LOCATION

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hassakah, Syria

Local sources reported that up to ten civilians were killed, including five women and four children, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hadaj. A tweet by @NDhoms1 was the only source stating that “10 civilians, including 8 women and children” died. All other sources specifically mentioned the death of “five women and

Summary

First published
May 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 10
(4 children5 women2 men)
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

July 16, 2018

Incident Code

CS1781

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Ten or thirteen civilians, including women and children, were killed when the village of al Baghouz was targeted by alleged Coalition airstrikes, two local sources said. According to Sound and Picture, Coalition aircraft targeted a “civilian gathering” on the morning of July 16th and reported an initial toll of “10 martyrs from one family, mostly

Summary

First published
July 16, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 13
(3 children3 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
View Incident

Incident date

October 3, 2018

Incident Code

CS1803

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to four civilians from the same family including a baby girl (named as the daughter of Hamad Mussah Shahab) died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a civilian home on Al Soussa, according to sources on the ground. Sources reported that the Coalition carried out several strikes on the area amid violent clashes between the SDF

Summary

First published
October 3, 2018
Last updated
March 22, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
(1 child1 woman)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 10, 2018

Incident Code

CS1830

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Sousse, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The Step News Agency reported that the Coalition “bombed the eastern suburb of Deir Ezzor with white phosphorus last night [Nov 10th]. It also renewed  shelling of Hajin city and the town of al-Sousse”. It added that deaths were reported, but didn’t give numbers. Al Khabar also claimed that white phosphorous was used, asserting that “the

Summary

First published
November 10, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
2–6
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
Unknown
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

March 3, 2019

Incident Code

CS1903

LOCATION

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that the Coalition had renewed shelling on Al Baghouz after midnight on March 3rd 2019. One of the shells allegedly struck an ammunition depot that caused a large explosion in the camp. According to one local source, Hamah.Now, up to 250 civilians were killed and wounded in the event. In a tweet,

Summary

First published
March 3, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 250
(2–25 children2–25 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–250
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
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS956a

LOCATION

حي الدرعية, Dar’iya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Initially this incident was reported on by several sources as mass artillery shelling in the Dar’iya neighbourhood in the city of Raqqa, in which 6 to 12 cilivilians, including a maximum or 6 children and 2 women died and 9 were wounded. During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty

Summary

First published
June 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children4 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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS788 CS207

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Between six and 21 civilians died and up to 50 were injured in multiple night time airstrikes on the city of Raqqa, according to local sources. While most reports alleged that Russia was responsible, others did not identify the aircraft, while one blamed the Assad regime and another said that the Coalition might have carried

Summary

First published
May 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 21
(1 child1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
20–50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2014

Incident Code

CI011

LOCATION

البوعجيل, Bojeel, Salah Al Din, Iraq

Reports claimed that Coalition strike hit a mosque during Friday prayers in the town of Al Bojeel, to the east of Tikrit.  

Summary

First published
October 17, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 3, 2019

Incident Code

CS1939

LOCATION

أطمة, Atma, Idlib, Syria

A militant leader, named as Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir, was killed when his vehicle was reportedly struck by the US-led Coalition, local sources said. Reports added that two of Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir’s “companions” also died in the strike, though their combat status was unclear. A private source told Baladi News: “A reconnaissance plane ammunition by the

Summary

First published
December 4, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
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
Belligerents reported killed
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2014

Incident Code

CS035

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilian men were reported killed in an event near the town of Al Bab, after a US aircraft dropped a 500lb bomb on a fleeing ISIL suspect. They were later named by the VDC and Syrian Martyrs. Social media also reported civilian deaths, with one tweet noting: “At least two civilians martyred in the

Summary

First published
December 21, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children3 men)
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 27, 2021

Incident Code

CS1968

LOCATION

الصبحة, Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A male civilian, co-chair of the Deir Ezzor Civil Council, was shot and killed by alleged Coalition forces and/or Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in on October 27, 2021. According to a tweet from @Sada_AlSharqieh, a media organization covering Eastern Syria, Samer Al-Abdullah, the co-chair of the Deir Ezzor Civil Council, in charge of running the

Summary

First published
October 27, 2021
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 8, 2015

Incident Code

CI038

LOCATION

الموصل‎, 100km South of Mosul on ‘Road 1’, Nineveh, Iraq

An alleged coalition airstrike struck a vehicle on the road between Mosul and Baghdad, which was carrying Jordanian mosque janitor Ahmed Abdul Aqi [sometimes Baqi], his wife and daughter. All three died in the incident. The driver of the car Ahmed al Azzawi (pictured below) also died according to his family. In a detailed report

Summary

First published
February 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child2 men)
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 18, 2015

Incident Code

CS103

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Al Sabahiah area of West Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

An alleged coalition strike on an Islamic State checkpoint in a suburb of west Raqaa reportedly killed 22-year old Omar Huwaidi Al Mueissat when a missile hit the family house. His 17-year old brother Ali Huwaidi al Mueissat was also reported to have been severely injured in the incident, suffering a broken pelvis and wounds

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
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI101

LOCATION

بين جزيرة الخالدية, حصيبة والبوعبيد, Between Khalidiya Island, Husaybah and Albu Obaid, Al Anbar, Iraq

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq noted in January 2016 that two possible civilian casualty incidents had taken place in Ramadi. The Coalition has confirmed carrying out strikes in the vicinity that day. According to UNAMI, “On 3 September an airstrike hit a bridge in Jazeera al-Khaldiya, around 20 kilometres east of Ramadi, Anbar,

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
46
Civilians reported injured
20–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI121

LOCATION

كبيسة, Kabaisa, Al Anbar, Iraq

A single source alleged that a Coalition strike at Kabisa City near Hit in Anbar had killed four civilians. A Coalition report issued in December 2016 noted: “After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of each alleged civilian casualty report, CJTF-OIR assessed that the following 12 reports received in October are non-credible. Non-credible

Summary

First published
October 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Incident Code

CI144

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident which may relate to incident CI143 – or was unknown to Airwars – the Coalition announced in January 2017 that it was investigating a possible civilian casualty event near Manbij almost 14 months earlier. According to the statement “five reports of civilian casualties received in November are still being assessed… Sept. 20,

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
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

December 27, 2015

Incident Code

CI168

LOCATION

حي المثنى, Mosul, al-Muthanna, al-Masaref, al-Tahrir, and al-Qadisiyah, Nineveh, Iraq

According to single source the National Iraqi News Agency, 12 civilians died and 11 were “severely wounded” in Coalition airstrikes on the neighbourhoods of al-Muthanna, al-Masaref, al-Tahrir, and al-Qadisiyah, north of Mosul. MNN cited Kurdish official Ghyath Surja as saying the Coalition had carried out a targeted strike on a vehicle at al-Muthanna, though did

Summary

First published
December 27, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(3 children1 woman)
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

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

CS173

LOCATION

حماة, Hama, Idlib, Syria

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on a possible incident “near Hama, Iraq”. Officials later informed Airwars that the alleged incident in fact took place near Hama, Syria. The incident was reported in the December 2016 Coalition report as: “Feb. 15, 2016,

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
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

Incident date

March 25, 2016

Incident Code

CI207

LOCATION

Mosul, Tanak neighbourhood, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents told Airwars researchers that two entire families – 21 people in total – died as a result of alleged Coalition air strikes on their house in Tanak neighbourhood in East Mosul, on March 25th 2016. This was reported in an interview with two witnesses, Jassim Khalaf and Mohammed Sabri, on June 11th 2017.

Summary

First published
March 25, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
21
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 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI230

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

An alleged Coalition airstrike on a neighbourhood in eastern Mosul also reportedly killed an entire family. According to NRN News, “Our correspondent said that the bombing was aimed at the home district council of Mosul by Zuhair al-Jubouri in a neighbourhood used by Daesh. But the rocket landed on the house next door, killing five

Summary

First published
April 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 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

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