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

January 14, 2016

Incident Code

CI177

LOCATION

الثقافية, Mosul, Cultural group (Daash court headquarters), Nineveh, Iraq

There were effectively single-source claims that an alleged Coalition strike on a Mosul court killed 33 civilians who had been detained on petty charges by so-called Islamic State. Three judges also reportedly died. According to Al Mustaqbal, the Coalition targeted “a former Social Welfare Department building” which now functions as a court. The three ISIL

Summary

First published
January 14, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
33
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Incident Code

CI176

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

On October 27th 2017 the Coalition published an assessment of a civilian casualty event dated January 12th 2016, naming Airwars as the source of reporting. The Coalition’s report stated: “1. Jan. 12, 2016, near Al Qa’im, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information, it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted

Summary

First published
January 12, 2016
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

January 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS165

LOCATION

سلوك, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian man named as Hmaid al Agha was reported by VDC as having been killed at Slouk in a Coalition airstrike. The website Al Sharq al Arabi also listed Mr al Agha as killed, though did not attribute responsibility. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were

Summary

First published
January 11, 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 11, 2016

Incident Code

CI175

LOCATION

بنك الرشيد, Mosul, Al Rasheed Bank in Zuhoor, Nineveh, Iraq

At least two civilians and as many as seven were killed, and five injured, in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on an ISIS-controlled bank in central Mosul. The attack was aimed at destroying millions of dollars of terror cash – with US officials prepared to accept up to 50 civilian casualties to achieve their objective, according

Summary

First published
January 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 7
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS354 CS164

LOCATION

عين عيسى, `Ayn `Isa, Raqqa, Syria

A strike by aircraft reportedly killed five civilians. Syria News attributed the attack to Russia, while Ara News said it was a Coalition action. VDC – which attributed the attack to the regime – named five victims. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian

Summary

First published
January 9, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 children1 man)
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 8, 2016

Incident Code

CI174

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Sofiya, Al Anbar, Iraq

Some local media reported that two families consisting of 14 civilians were killed in an unattributed airstrike on Sofiya in Ramadi. While Yaqen also reported that 14 civilians had died, it blamed the deaths on Iraq Army artillery. In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event, saying that it

Summary

First published
January 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
14
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

January 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI173

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local media service Hit News claimed that Coalition airstrikes had struck a residential building in Hit. No further details are presently available. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the

Summary

First published
January 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS163

LOCATION

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Raqqa, Syria

Eight children and three women were widely reported killed, in what most sources claimed to be a Coalition airstrike. While Raqqah is Being Slaughtered and Radio Alkul did not attribute the attack, the Syrian Observatory blamed the Coalition: “Eight children and three citizen women were killed in a bombing by the international coalition’s warplanes on

Summary

First published
January 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 12
(8 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

January 5, 2016

Incident Code

CS162

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Airstrikes targeted the Water Foundation building on the outskirts of Raqqah around midnight, killing an employee of the organization and two building guards according to the Syrian Observatory (which did not attribute the strike to any particular party.) Other sources made no mention of casualties, although a propaganda video released by Daesh appeared to show

Summary

First published
January 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 1, 2016

Incident Code

CI172

LOCATION

الرمادي, Hit and Thaiyala, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources said that airstrikes – possibly by the Coalition – had struck civilians in Hit and Thaiyala in Anbar province, resulting in deaths and injuries of multiple civilians including women and children. Face Iraq reported that 12 bodies of civilians were later evacuated from Thaiyala, “killed in bombings which had resulted in the deaths

Summary

First published
January 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(2 children2 women8 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 30, 2015

Incident Code

CI170

LOCATION

حي سومر, Mosul, Sumer, Nineveh, Iraq

Ten civilian prisoners were reportedly killed in an alleged 5 am Coalition strike on Mosul which targeted the Nineveh provincial council building. According to A3Maq, “international coalition aircraft launched at dawn on Wednesday several raids in which some 20 rockets were fired, The aircraft targeted the marriage contracts office, the Office of the Ombudsman and

Summary

First published
December 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
31
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 30, 2015

Incident Code

CI171

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

An alleged Coalition strike at Hit in Anbar resulted in the deaths of four named civilians. Hit News reported that Coalition strikes hit the area around the Khaled Saadoun mosque and a nearby industrial district “resulting in the deaths of a number of innocent citizens.” In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports,

Summary

First published
December 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2–4 men)
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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
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

December 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI169

LOCATION

العربي, Mosul, Arabi and Cairo petrol station, Nineveh, Iraq

An alleged Coalition strike on two Daesh positions in western Mosul also reportedly led to an unspecified number of civilian casualties. According to NRN News, vehicles used by Daesh to transport oil were destroyed in a 1pm strike, killing about 15 militants. But the attack also destroyed the ‘Cairo’ gas station, which in turn damaged

Summary

First published
December 29, 2015
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

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

December 27, 2015

Incident Code

RS326 CS160

LOCATION

أخترين, Akhtarin, Aleppo, Syria

A child was reportedly killed by alleged Russian and Coalition warplanes in the residential neighbourhood of Akhtarin, Aleppo. However, there are disputed claims as to whether the raids were carried out by Russia or the Coalition. LCCSY and Quasion News Agency both blamed the Coalition for the airstrikes – with Quasion noting that Russia was shelling

Summary

First published
December 27, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4–24
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS319 CS159

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

The IS-linked agency Al A’maq posted a video showing destruction in the city following reported airstrikes Local monitoring group Raqaa is Being Slaughtered suggested the attack may have been the work of the US-led Coalition: “Warplanes targeted with seven missiles on Friday night the area of February 23rd Street in Raqqa city center. This resulted in

Summary

First published
December 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
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
Unknown, US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI166

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

Military aircraft – which some sources described as the Coalition’s – reportedly killed five civilians in a Christmas Day strike. According to Al Rafidain the attack could have been the work either of the Iraq Army or the Coalition, noting that “army aviation commander Hamid al-Maliki also confirmed that army helicopters carried out a raid

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI167

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, General hospital, Al Anbar, Iraq

Fallujah’s General Hospital was cited as reporting that seven people were killed – including five children and one woman – following an alleged Coalition airstrike. Three women and a child were also said to have been injured. However, the Iraqi Spring Media Center did not attribute the incident to any party. And artillery sheling of

Summary

First published
December 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4
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

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

CS158

LOCATION

تشرين, Tishreen, Aleppo, Syria

In a previously unknown casualty event, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that one civilian was killed during a US airstrike at Tishreen near Manbij. According to the official release, “On Dec. 24, 2015, in Tishreen, Syria, near Manbij, during a strike on two ISIL fighters in a vehicle, it is assessed that one civilian

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Incident Code

CS158a

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians near Manbij, Syria. Their June 2019 civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location

Summary

First published
December 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Incident Code

CI165

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

During a fierce air and ground assault on the Daesh-occupied city of Ramadi, local sources said that airstrikes had targeted the Jazeerat Al-Khalidiya area northeast of Ramadi, resulting in eight civilian deaths and 12 injuries, most of them women and children.

Summary

First published
December 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI163

LOCATION

Keseir, Iraq

Six civilians were reportedly killed and three injured – all children and women – after Coalition jets allegedly bombed their house in Keseir village east of Mosul.

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children2 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

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI164

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

A Coalition strike, possibly by drone, killed five civilians after a missile was said to have hit a restaurant in 17 Street in Ramadi. On June 7th, 2017 the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “Dec. 21, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on ISIS fighters, it was assessed that

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI162

LOCATION

حي الوحدة, Mosul, Wahida, Nineveh, Iraq

In the second of three claimed incidents in Mosul on this date, it was reported that 17 civilians – including four women and five children – were killed in an alleged Coalition strike in the Wehda and Methak neighbourhoods east of Mosul. However, there was some doubt regarding the incident, with NRN News reportedly denying

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
(5 children4 women)
Civilians reported injured
9
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

December 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI161

LOCATION

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th (Medical centre), Nineveh, Iraq

Reuters reported that “About 20 people, including at least 12 civilians, were killed on Monday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, in two air strikes that destroyed houses believed to be used by Islamic State militants, six eyewitnesses and a medical source said.” According to the international news agency, “The two strikes happened within

Summary

First published
December 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 20
(4 children2 women1–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
17–50
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2015

Incident Code

CI160

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Amid heavy airstrikes on the city of Fallujah, at least four children were among up to eight people reported killed when a home was struck in an alleged Coalition attack. According to Al Fallujah News, those killed were a father, mother and their six children. News Fallujah Now, citing “medical sources at Fallujah General Hospital”

Summary

First published
December 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 8
(4–6 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
9
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 16, 2015

Incident Code

CS157

LOCATION

عيساوي, `Isawi, Raqqa, Syria

One person named as Ahmad Al A’bd was reported killed and his cousin Wa’el Al A’bd injured after unexploded ordnance detonated – allegedly the result of a Coalition airstrike on the village in June. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this

Summary

First published
December 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2015

Incident Code

CI159

LOCATION

شارع السكلات, Hit, Alscalt Street, Al Anbar, Iraq

It was reported by several sources that the Coalition struck Hit city, resulting in the injury of eight civilians including three children and two women. According to the local site Hit News, an airstrike struck a militant vehicle carrying weapons, ammunition and food, injuring civilians in the immediate vicinity. The Coalition has confirmed targeting an

Summary

First published
December 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
8
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 13, 2015

Incident Code

CI157

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Three professors from the University of Mosul were among four civilians and a Daesh official reported killed in an alleged Coaliton airstrike. According to the National Iraqi News Agency, Salah Mohammed Afri, responsible for student affairs, “was killed along with two [or three] professors appointed by Daesh to the Faculty of Dentistry at the University

Summary

First published
December 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(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