US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Civilians in the ruins of Mosul city. (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
US-led Coalition
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

July 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1264

LOCATION

صباح الخير, Sabah Al Kahir, Raqqa, Syria

According to Hasaka Rasd, “Coalition aircraft targeted a motorcycle driven by the young man Hussein al-Hassoun which led to his death, near the village of Sabah al-Alkhair, east of Raqqa, near the administrative border with Deir al-Zour”. Al Raqqa Ahlna also reported the victim’s death, however, the report was a carbon copy of that posted

Summary

First published
July 24, 2017
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

August 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1328

LOCATION

منطقة جمعية المهندسين, Jamiat al Muhandissen area in Orme al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple local sources reported the explosion of a car bomb in “the second village of engineers” killing members of Haiat Tahrir al Sham [formerly Al Qaeda/ Al Nusra] and up to four civilians, as well as wounding others. According to @Elghad , “The Syrian Observatory, based in Britain, said that a car bomb exploded near

Summary

First published
August 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS1360

LOCATION

البجري, Al Barji and other areas, Raqqa, Syria

Summarising a 48 hour period, local sources said that 47 civilians were killed and 50 injured in alleged airstrikes on the city of Raqqa. Two of the eight sources specifically blamed the US-led Coalition for the civilian casualty incidents. Activists told Smart News that “the city had been hit by more than 43 airstrikes, in

Summary

First published
August 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
47
Civilians reported injured
50
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1392

LOCATION

Al Thakana, Raqqa, Syria

One person was killed in alleged US-Coalition airstrikes, al Thakana neighbourhood, Raqqa city. Reports of his death arose only twenty days after the incident. Dchrs said he died due to “indiscriminate shelling of coalition forces”, whilst Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently accused the Coalition of “bombing…on the barracks neighbourhood”. No additional details are available at

Summary

First published
August 19, 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 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1424

LOCATION

Centre, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that ten civilians – including up to six children and four women and two men from one family – were killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes in central Raqqa City. The strike reportedly struck or targeted a building in which the the Al-Shakran family were sheltering. The family were displaced persons from

Summary

First published
August 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(3–6 children2–4 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
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS1456

LOCATION

Al Nahdah, Raqqa, Syria

On August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of possible civilian harm. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “September 8, 2017, near al-Nahdah, Syria, via media report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this

Summary

First published
September 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1489 RS2448

LOCATION

الخريطة, Al Kharita, river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources named one woman as killed and her husband and “some members of his family” wounded in an airstrike on a river crossing at al Kharita. Most sources didn’t identify the culprit. However, according to Sadaa alsham, Russia was to blame for the death of one civilian in al Kharita. The regime captured the

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1521

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Central, Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition air or artillery strikes in Raqqa, local sources reported. According to the Step News Agency, “five civilians were killed and others are missing under the rubble as a result of aerial and ground bombing by the international Coalition in neighborhoods controlled by IS in the middle of

Summary

First published
September 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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

September 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1553

LOCATION

المجاودة, Al Mojawedah/Al Aranessah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local media reported that one displaced woman was killed in a dawn raid on the home of Abbas Freih Al Salama in Al Mojawedah – though most sources did not identify who was responsible for the attack. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the warplanes responsible were “believed to be Russian”.

Summary

First published
September 30, 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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1589

LOCATION

الحديقة البيضا, Ar Raqqah: Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria

It was reported that Radwan Kor Ahmed, in addition to two other civilians, died in al Hadika al Baidaa (the white garden) of Raqqah city following alleged US-led Coalition strikes, local sources said. The two sources tracked both blamed the US-led Coalition. While the deaths were reported on October 8th, sources said the victims had

Summary

First published
October 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

October 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1626

LOCATION

البصيرة, Al Busayrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A young man died following alleged airstrikes on the village of al Busayrah, Deir Ezzor governorate, according to local media. Reports said that up to five other civilians died in addition to Abdul and that people were fleeing the town while air raids were carried out. A later report from Sharqiya Voice named two families of

Summary

First published
October 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3 children1 woman1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1658 RS2669

LOCATION

السكرية, Al Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four civilians – two women and two girls – died in an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of al Sukkariya, local media reported. It was unclear who was responsible, though one source attributed the event to Russia. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “four citizen women including two girls were killed as a

Summary

First published
November 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children2 women)
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1690

LOCATION

Abu Hamam or Al Kashkiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Abu Hamam and al Kashkiya, local media reported. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “International Coalition’s warplanes targeted areas in the towns of Abu Hamam and Al-Kashkia, killing three citizens including two women, and injuring others”. One woman was specifically reported killed

Summary

First published
December 2, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1–2 women)
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 27, 2018

Incident Code

CS1786

LOCATION

السوسة, Outskirts of Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported the death of two or four civilians after missiles struck aid vehicles near the town of Al Soussa. According to Smart News, Coalition raids struck “three trucks loaded with food”, killing four civilians. The media outlet noted that the four came from “Salba and Mkeymen the eastern suburb of Hama in the

Summary

First published
July 27, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
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
View Incident

Incident date

October 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1809

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to five civilians were reported killed in air and/or artillery strikes on the town of al Soussa during ongoing heavy fighting. Most sources described a Coalition air or artillery strike on one of the town’s bakeries, which reportedly killed four non combatants. Al Alam News for example reported that “US Coalition forces targeted the

Summary

First published
October 13, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
6
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 5, 2016

Incident Code

CS224b

LOCATION

western Raqqa countryside, Raqqa, Syria

A single source, Al Araby al Jaddid , reported that  “Coalition aircraft launched air raids on the area of ​​Abu Qubea in the western Raqqa countryside, killing two civilians and wounding ten others”. No further details are currently available. In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they

Summary

First published
June 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 3, 2019

Incident Code

CS1880

LOCATION

بادية 24 في الشعفة, Badia 24, 1km east of Al Shaafa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to local sources, an alleged Coalition airstrike struck a residential house near the town of Al-Shaafa on the afternoon of January the 3rd. Between 7 and 13 civilians were initially reported killed, including women and children. The UN later raised this tally to 16 fatalities and two injuries. The house owner Sulaiman Mohammed al-Ahdab

Summary

First published
January 3, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16
(12 children3 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
18 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 17, 2019

Incident Code

CS1911

LOCATION

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that US-Coalition air-and artillery strikes resumed after 24-hours of calm and struck Al-Baghouz camp in the evening of March 17th. According to Syrian regime affiliated news outlet SANA, the Coalition shelled the camp and its surroundings. Step News added that the shelling was conducted by “French artillery and SDF militia” which targeted

Summary

First published
March 17, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 12
(5 children7 women)
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

July 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1258a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, one civilian was reportedly as 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 stated that

Summary

First published
July 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Artillery
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

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

November 7, 2020

Incident Code

CS1953

LOCATION

غريبة الشرقية, Ghariba al-Sharqiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One person was reported killed in an alleged US-led Coalition and QSD/SDF joint security operation/landing in Ghariba al-Sharqiya in Deir Ezzor, Syria on November 7th, 2020. Some of the local sources which reported the incident said the person killed was an internally displaced person (IDP), and others described him as an ISIS member. For example,

Summary

First published
November 7, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
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, Unknown
Suspected target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

November 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS196 CS151

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Five to eight civilians including four children were reported killed, and 10 injured, when Russian warplanes allegedly launched several rockets on Hetten School in Raqqa, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Ara News also blamed Russia. Syria Press Report (citing the Syrian Observatory) placed the death toll at 12 and said the attack was

Summary

First published
November 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 12
(5 children)
Civilians reported injured
10–12
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, Syrian Regime
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 24, 2014

Incident Code

CS009

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A number of sources including the Syrian Martyrs website reported that a woman was killed in a Coalition airstrike on Ar Raqqah. She was reported as being a resident of the city. The3 Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also reported her death fropm Coalition actions – though said this occured on September 24th: ” Fawzia

Summary

First published
September 29, 2014
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 12, 2015

Incident Code

CS042

LOCATION

near al-Bo Omar, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In the January 25th 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that a civilian casualties allegation near al-Bo Omar had been assessed as non credible: “#1 Jan. 12, 2015, near al-Bo Omar, Syria via regional human rights group report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in

Summary

First published
January 12, 2015
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

June 10, 2015

Incident Code

CS075

LOCATION

عربيد, A'rbeed, Raqqa, Syria

A reported Coalition strike near the ISIL-occupied village of A’rbeed was said by the Syrian Network for Human Rights to have killed three civilians in a farmhouse – a 43 year old man and his two wives. Two other sites described Coalition strikes in the vicinity, though did not refer to civilian deaths. In February

Summary

First published
June 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 women1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Incident Code

CS142

LOCATION

مسطاحة, Mestaha, Aleppo, Syria

Three teenage civilian males were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike. They are listed as being from Mestaha in Aleppo but it is not clear whether they were killed there.  This incident is currently single source.  

Summary

First published
October 31, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 12, 2016

Incident Code

CS189

LOCATION

Al Mashlab, Raqqa, Syria

According to Al A’amaq Media – linked to Daesh – “A child and his father were killed in a raid by an unmanned American plane on the outskirts of Raqqa city.” No other sources in the city reported civilian casualties. However Raqqa is Being Slaughtered did note that “An unmanned plane targets a Daesh pickup

Summary

First published
March 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Incident Code

CS224

LOCATION

صوران, Sawran, Aleppo, Syria

Three named civilians includng a woman and her daughter were killed in a reported Coalition airstrike at Sawran. According to the Syria Network: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces used heavy machine guns to target a civilian car on the road between Souran town and Ihtemlat town which resulted in the killing of three individuals including a

Summary

First published
June 3, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2016

Incident Code

CS260

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Four children from one family were killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa. According to Shaam News, the dawn strike totally destroyed the home of Ahmed Salem al Amin, killing his four young children. Nine other civilians were also reported wounded. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered named the children as Salem, Fatima, Rimas and Mais.

Summary

First published
July 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 9
(4 children)
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
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS331

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

In a likely separate incident to the one listed above, the Coalition reported the following in its February 2017 civilian casualty report: “Oct. 6, 2016, near Al Shadadi, Syria, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.”  

Summary

First published
October 6, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
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