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

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI192

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

As many as 26 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Ar Rutbah, in Anbar province. A video released by Daesh-linked Al A’amaq showed an apparent ‘double-tap’ strike when the location was again bombed shortly afterwards. The Yagen agency reported that “aggressive Coalition strikes killed ten civilians and wounded

Summary

First published
February 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 26
(9 children6 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
25
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

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CS178

LOCATION

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al Hassakah, Syria

The Hassakah Youth Movement was among a number of sources reporting civilians killed by the Coalition at Al Markada, saying Coalition aircraft had struck a medical facility: “News in regarding people martyred following international Coalition bombing of the hospital in Markada.” In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they

Summary

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

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CS179

LOCATION

الدشيشة, Dashisha, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two civilian brothers named as Farhan and Adnan Ali Khodar were reported killed after their motorbike was struck in an alleged Coalition airstrike. According to the Damascus Center, the two brothers were buried together. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this

Summary

First published
February 18, 2016
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

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS176

LOCATION

الهول, Al Hawl, Al Hassakah, Syria

According to the Hassakah Youth Movement, “International Coalition planes have carried out several raids along the front lines south west of Al Hawl and targets in the village of Al Hazim. There are reports of the martyrdom of several civilians.“ Shaam News also reported that Coalition airstrikes in support of Kurdish forces “led to the

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

CI191

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to multiple local sources, a Coalition or Iraqi government aircraft struck the Sina’i, Bakir and Jame’iya neighbourhoods in Hit district, western Anbar, resulting in the deaths of 2 or 3 civilians and the injuring of 5 more. Daesh-linked Al A’amaq said the strikes were the work of the Coalition. The Iraqi Spring Media Center

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
Civilians reported injured
5
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

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS177

LOCATION

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria

Alleged Coalition airstrikes on three or four Daesh-controlled villages killed 15 civilians including three children, according to both the Syrian Observatory and the Hassakah Youth Movement. In a later report, the Damascus Center noted: “On the afternoon [of Wednesday 17th February 2016), planes likely to be the Coalition launched more than ten air strikes, affecting

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 40
(3 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
70
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
15 named, 6 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS631 CS176a

LOCATION

تل الجاير, Al Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria

An airstrike targeted a local taxi bus killing between ten and 15 civilians including up to seven children according to sources – although there was disagreement over whether the Coalition or Russia was responsible. According to the Hassakah Youth Movement, “the Hyundai belongs to Hussein Morei Al Atiya [who died in the attack]. Mr Atiya

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 15
(2–7 children4 men)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI190

LOCATION

الرحمانية, Ar Rayhaniyah, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, CENTCOM issued a statement on July 28th 2016 saying that it had injured a civilian during an airstrike on Ar Rayhaniyah: The official release noted that “On February 16, 2016, in Ar Rayhaniyah, Iraq near Mosul, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that one

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
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 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI189

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

As many as nine civilians were killed in a nighttime Coalition airstrike at Al Qaim. While the US has conceded three deaths, one site referred at the time to “nine dead along with the destruction of civilian property, due to heavy strikes by the international Coalition at midnight yesterday on the city of Al Qaim.”

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known 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

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

CS172 RS622

LOCATION

الشدادي, Al-Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Reported airstrikes by the Coalition or possibly Russia on al Shadadi between midnight and dawn struck a bakery in the city killing at least 15 civilians, according to multiple reports. Shaam News and the Syrian Network said the civilians died in a Coalition strike as they queued to buy bread at Auto Bakery, although other

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14 – 28
(4 children1 woman8 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
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
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS622

LOCATION

الشدادي, Al Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Reported airstrikes by the Coalition or possibly Russia on al Shadadi between midnight and dawn struck a bakery in the city killing at least 15 civilians, according to multiple reports. Shaam News and the Syrian Network said the civilians died in a Coalition strike as they queued to buy bread at an auto bakery, although

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 28
(4 children1 woman8–10 men)
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition
Named victims
10 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Incident Code

RS619 CS174

LOCATION

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

The Russian government accused the Coalition of killing nine civilians and injuring 26 in an airstrike on an MSF hospital at Maarat al Numan. This was later denied, with a Coalition report insisting “No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” According to a document and

Summary

First published
February 15, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
Healthcare facility, School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 9
Civilians reported injured
26
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 13, 2016

Incident Code

CI188

LOCATION

المحلبية, Mahalabiya, Nineveh, Iraq

Three children reportedly died in an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Mahalabiya, to the west of Mosul. An anonymous source cited by Face Iraq complained that there was “constant indiscriminate shelling on the villages and areas of the city of Mosul, under the pretext of the presence of criminal elements from Daesh.” In

Summary

First published
February 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Incident Code

CI187

LOCATION

حي المزارع, Mosul, Mazari / Farms, Nineveh, Iraq

An alleged Coalition targeted strike on a secret ISIL medical facility reportedly killed 16 doctors, seven Daesh fighters and an unspecified number of patients according to a single source. According to NINA, “the international Coalition carried out airstrikes in eastern Mosul which targeted a secret hospital for Daesh elements. The attack killed 16 Daesh doctors

Summary

First published
February 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Incident Code

CI186

LOCATION

حي الكرامة, Mosul, Karama, Nineveh, Iraq

 A number of sources reported that at least seven civilian forced labourers were killed in an alleged Coalition on a Daesh pickup truck. The incident took place in the main street area of Karama, a neighbourhood to the east of Mosul. NRN News said that the civilians were being used by Daesh as forced labourers to demolish graves

Summary

First published
February 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 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
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2016

Incident Code

CI185

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi (Al Bosaleh), Al Anbar, Iraq

There were reports of two or three civilian homes in Al Bosaleh village east of Ramadi were struck by the Coalition in the morning, killing at least 17 civilians – including up to 13 from the Alibohvd clan. Yaqen included a reported image (right) of one of the destroyed homes. However, the site also suggested

Summary

First published
February 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17 – 21
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

February 4, 2016

Incident Code

CI184

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

Several sources reported that an alleged Coalition air strike had hit the Qalqah area of Hit City, resulting in the deaths of up to six civilians and the wounding of 11 others, most of them women and children. Photographs obtained by the Iraqi Spring Media Center appeared to show significant damage, with a number of

Summary

First published
February 4, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
Civilians reported injured
8–11
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

February 2, 2016

Incident Code

CS171

LOCATION

الغازلي, Al Ghazili, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM later confirmed the death of a civilian in a US airstrike in Al Ghazili, near Ayn Isa. According to the official release, “On Feb. 2, 2016, in Al Ghazili, Syria, near Ayn Isa, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that one civilian

Summary

First published
February 2, 2016
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

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

January 28, 2016

Incident Code

RS487 CS169

LOCATION

عجاجا, Ajajah, Al Hassakah, Syria

Up to 15 civilians were killed including two children, following an airstrike on the village of Ajajah. The attack was initially attributed to the Coalition. However later reports blamed the deaths on Russia. According to the Syrian Observatory “Two children and a man were killed and others injured in bombing by warplanes believed to be

Summary

First published
January 28, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 15
(1–2 children13 men)
Civilians reported injured
9–15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, US-led Coalition
Named victims
22 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

CS168

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Four civilian men – three from the same family – were named as killed by ‘Coalition air force shelling’ near Shadadi, after earlier reports of aircraft from the western alliance circling over the town. The death toll was later raised to 10 by some sources. According to Qasioun the deaths occured after Coalition aircraft struck

Summary

First published
January 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(4 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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI183

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

According to multiple reports, an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hawijah resulted in at least 13 civilian deaths. Al Jazeera reported that 16 died in the incident, which it attributed to the Coalition. The Al Amaq Agency (which often distributes Islamic State propaganda) reported that 13 civilians died in a ‘Coalition strike’ while 11 were injured.

Summary

First published
January 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 16
Civilians reported injured
11
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

January 22, 2016

Incident Code

CS167

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

There were claims by some of a wedding convoy hit in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa on the evening of January 22nd. Al Jazeera instead said that “an unmanned drone targeted a car belonging to IS near Bab Baghadad east of the town.” The event, which took place in the Baghdad Bab neighbouorhood of

Summary

First published
January 22, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
25
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Incident Code

CI181

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Jaza'ir / Algeria and other neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

Several local sources claimed 10 civilians were killed and 20 injured in alleged Coalition strikes on Mosul. According to anti-government site Yaqen, “the international airline alliance this morning carried out several air strikes” in central Mosul which in turn killed 10 civilians and ‘substantially damaged’ a number of homes. Meanwhile, the pro-government site Al Rassid

Summary

First published
January 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Incident Code

CI182

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed Coalition airstrikes had struck residential homes in Abu Teban village in Hit, west of Ramadi, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians and the injuring of a further 18 – described as mostly women and children. Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes between Ramadi and

Summary

First published
January 21, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
18
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI180

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

The Iraqi Spring Media Centre claimed that “Coalition fighters” had struck civilians in north-west Ramadi, killing 13 civilians and injuring a further 18. Particular news described the alleged Coalition strike as ‘retaliatory’ though gave no further details while noting that there was also significant material damage to civilian houses in the area. Responding to a

Summary

First published
January 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
18
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

January 18, 2016

Incident Code

CS166

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Union of Hassakah Youth, an adult male non-combatant named as Ammar Al Khayran was killed in a Coalition strke on Raqqah. According to the group, the victim “came from Mabrouka in the western countryside of Rass Al Ain.” Other sites also reported his death, which was additionally claimed for both January 17th

Summary

First published
January 18, 2016
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

January 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI179

LOCATION

المعارض المنفيس, Mosul, Exhibitions area, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple local sources claimed that 11 civilians were killed and 6 others wounded after Coalition aircraft allegedly targeted cars in the Exhibitions area east of Mosul. According to the National Iraqi News Agency, residents in the city’s Exhibitions area said the casualties occurred when aircraft fired on vehicles: “The bodies of civilians were handed over to

Summary

First published
January 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 11
Civilians reported injured
6–11
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

January 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI178

LOCATION

تليارة, Tell Yara, Bashiqa, Nineveh, Iraq

A spokesman for the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) stated that 12 civilians were injured in a Coalition airstrike on the village of Tell Yara in Bashiqa, north of Mosul. Ghiyath Alsurja, a media official with the KDP, told reporters that the Coalition had targeted Daesh facilities in the village 17 km north of Mosul, killing

Summary

First published
January 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
View Incident