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

December 13, 2015

Incident Code

CI158

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

There were single-source claims that 19 civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on Mosul. Citing local residents, the National Iraqi News Agency claimed that “international coalition aircraft bombed residential compounds in the Hadbah area east of Mosul, killing 19 civilians including six women and four children, and wounding six others.” However Airwars’ own sources in

Summary

First published
December 13, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19
(4 children6 women)
Civilians reported injured
6
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 12, 2015

Incident Code

CI156

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

A family of five including three children was killed in a US airstrike on the Albothiab Island area of Ramadi. The deceased, the Kazem family, were later named by Al Fallujah News. CENTCOM confirmed the casualty event on April 22nd 2016, noting: “On Dec. 12, 2015, in Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike on ISIL personnel

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

CS156

LOCATION

كبش, Kabsh, Raqqa, Syria

At least six civilians were killed and four injured in what was reported as a Coalition drone strike at Kabsh in northern Al Raqqah. The attack targeted what was described as “a small convoy of vehicles transporting passengers”. A minibus carrying the civilians was said to have been destroyed. The Syrian Press Centre was the

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2015

Incident Code

RS268

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Twelve civilians – most of which were women and children – were killed and several injured in an airstrike on Al Soussa – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. One source also blames the Coalition. The Shaam News Network initially reported that 10 non-combatants

Summary

First published
December 12, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(5 children6 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
23 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Incident Code

CS155

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a casualty event previously unknown to Airwars, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that one civilian was killed during a US airstrike against a high value target in Raqqah. According to the official release, “On Dec. 10, 2015, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during strikes against Siful Sujan, an ISIL external operations planner, it was

Summary

First published
December 10, 2015
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
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Incident Code

CI155

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Road between Ramadi and Rutba, Al Anbar, Iraq

Eight civilians – including a senior veterinarian and his wife – were reported killed when three vehicles were hit in an alleged Coalition airstrike, as they travelled on the road between Ramadi and Rutba. Dr. Ahmed Hamid Al-Jumaily (pictured) – the director of a major veterinary hospital in Anbar – was killed along with his

Summary

First published
December 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 8
(2 children2 women2 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
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI154

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

One child was reported killed and three civilians injured in an alleged Coalition strike at Mosul. Mosul Nawen and Iraqi Spring claimed the attack was carried out by a drone, on the east side the city (‘left bank’). In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition said it had classed the event as non credible

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI153

LOCATION

الشركة, Ramadi, Sharika, Al Anbar, Iraq

Four civilians were reported killed and 17 injured in an alleged Coalition or Iraqi strike on the centre of Ramadi. According to FaceIraq, the source of the claim appeared to be Sputnik News, which itself reproted that “According to Iraqi security sources, who asked not to be named, a Coalition strike on the ‘Company’ area

Summary

First published
December 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
17
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 7, 2015

Incident Code

CI151

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

There were claims that eleven civilians were killed including two children – with three doctors injured – after Coalition aircraft allegedly bombed two health centers in Aski Mosul and Baduish villages in Mosul. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in these strikes

Summary

First published
December 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Incident Code

CI152

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

An alleged Coalition airstrike on the Thubat district of Fallujah reportedly killed a young girl named as Ayesha Wadhah, and also wounded two other children named as Tabarek Wadhah (who lost a hand) and her brother Osama Wadhah. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for

Summary

First published
December 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Incident Code

CS154

LOCATION

الهول, Al Hawl, Al Hassakah, Syria

As many as 47 civilians were reported killed and 17 injured in an alleged US Apache helicopter and fast jet attack on the village of al Khan near al Hawl. Locals were involved in an altercation with Islamic State militants according to McClatchy, with Coalition aircraft attacking a convoy of reinforcements as they entered the

Summary

First published
December 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
40 – 47
(19–20 children9 women11 men)
Civilians reported injured
17–30
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
41 named, 7 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2015

Incident Code

CS153

LOCATION

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor city, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On Sunday, December 6, 2015, a woman and her two children were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Deir Ezzor city, in northeastern Syria. Reuters cited the Syrian Observatory as reporting that “In Deir al-Zor city, another air strike overnight killed a woman and two of her children.” In comments relating to the

Summary

First published
December 6, 2015
Last updated
June 27, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 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
View Incident

Incident date

December 5, 2015

Incident Code

CI150

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Warrar, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed that at least five civilians – mostly children and women from two displaced families – were killed and six to 12 wounded after an aerial bombing of their home in the Warrar area of Ramadi. Al Samaria quoted what it said was an anonymous source in the Daesh-occupied city: “Two missiles from

Summary

First published
December 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1–4 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
6–12
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 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI037

LOCATION

حميدات, Humaidat, Nineveh, Iraq

Two children were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the town of Hemidiat to the west of Mosul. According to Shafaqna and others, the strike hit the commercial district of the town: “The death of two children has beeen reported from an aerial bombardment by international Coalition aircraft west of Mosul. Early detection of

Summary

First published
December 3, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 2, 2015

Incident Code

CI149

LOCATION

راوة, Rawa, Al Anbar, Iraq

At least one civilian was alleged killed in a claimed Coalition airstrike at Rawa. According to Heet News a market and civilian homes were among the structures hit. Most media placed the death toll at one, though some reports claimed fatalities were as high as seven. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led

Summary

First published
December 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
Civilians reported injured
6
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 1, 2015

Incident Code

CI148

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple civilian casualties were claimed in Qayyarah after the Coalition was accused of bombing civilian houses in the town. Face Iraq reported that seven children and an elderly woman died in the event, which it said destroyed six houses in the vicinity of the Khader mosque (which some sources said had also been destroyed). Three

Summary

First published
December 1, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 8
(0–7 children0–1 women)
Civilians reported injured
10
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

November 26, 2015

Incident Code

CI147

LOCATION

جامع خالد بن الوليد, Fallujah, near Khalid Bin Al Waleed mosque, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources in Fallujah alleged that Coalition aircraft bombed a house with three families inside near Khalid Bin Al Waleed mosque, killing at least 12 and wounding six more – mostly children and women. The reported 11.30pm airstrike caused multiple casualties, with many victims buried under a collapsed building. The Baghdad Centre for Human Rights

Summary

First published
November 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 17
(8 children2 women2 men)
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
Named victims
18 named
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

November 26, 2015

Incident Code

RS193 CS152

LOCATION

الخفسة, Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria

Seven civilians were killed and several injured in an alleged Russian, Assad regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Khafasa. According to Shaam News Network, significant damage was caused to a water purification plant in the village, after seven raids. It said the plant provided water to most of the Aleppo neighbourhoods. It was additionally claimed

Summary

First published
November 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
10
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
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2015

Incident Code

CI146

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A high-ranking officer with the Iraq Army was the reported source for a highly contested claim – most likely Daesh propaganda – that French aircraft had bombed a school in Mosul, allegedly killing 28 pupils. According to German news agency DPA, Brigadier-General Thanon Sabawi from the Second Division of the Iraqi Army claimed that “French

Summary

First published
November 25, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
28
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2015

Incident Code

CS150

LOCATION

العريشة, Al`Arishah, Al Hassakah, Syria

There were reports that two civilians named as Awwad Bandar Al Hamidi and his son (age presently unknown) Mahmoud Awwad Al Hamidi died after their vehicle was targeted by alleged Coalition aircraft on the road to Al Arisheh. Another source said the pair were on their way to the local cattle market when they died.

Summary

First published
November 24, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(0–1 children1–2 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
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2015

Incident Code

CI145

LOCATION

أبو جربوعة, Abu Jarbua, Nineveh, Iraq

According to Iraqi MP Salim Jumah, five civilians from the Shabakian tribe were killed including three children and a woman, after Coalition aircraft allegedly bombed their house in Abu Jarbua village in Bashiqa, east of Mosul. Speaking to NRN News, the local Shabak Party MP called for compensation for those killed and naming them. In

Summary

First published
November 24, 2015
Last updated
March 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
8 named, 1 familiy identified
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

November 20, 2015

Incident Code

CS149 RS175

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The Violations Documentation Center listed five non-combatants, including two women and one child, as killed in an alleged Russian or Coalition airstrike near Al Bukamal. At least two of those killed were said to work for the local electricity company, who died when an oil tank was targeted. VDC named two male victims and additionally

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child2 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Incident Code

RS176 CS148

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A number of sources reported that an adult woman from Soran in Hama governorate was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah. Violations Documentation has published the name & photo of the victim which as said he was killed due to the coalition air force’s shelling.  In their January 2020 civilian casualty assessment, the US-led

Summary

First published
November 20, 2015
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2015

Incident Code

CI143

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

At least ten civilians were reported killed and 13 or more injured, after a Coalition strike at 8.30am which targeted a Daesh IED facility also reportedly hit a next-door dairy factory in Mosul. According to the local Nineveh Reporters’ Network, the attack “killed all elements of the organization [Daesh] who were inside the booby-trapping plant,

Summary

First published
November 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 13
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
13–28
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 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS168 CS146

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Reports indicated that Coalition aircraft had killed up to ten civilians in Raqqa in an evening strike. According to local monitors Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently, seven were killed and eight injured after a civilian fuel facility was bombed in the Brigade 17 area of the city. A graphic video by Daesh propagandists Al A’maq

Summary

First published
November 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 10
Civilians reported injured
8
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

November 18, 2015

Incident Code

RS167 CS147

LOCATION

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Violations Documentation Center and others, six civilian males were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in the vicinity of the Aisha hospital in Al Bukamal. According to Deir Ezzor 24, eight rockets or missiles were launched on the town. However, the Syrian Observatory has attributed the attack to the US-led Coalition.

Summary

First published
November 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children4 men)
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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Incident Code

CI142

LOCATION

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq

A doctor was reported killed and three of his colleagues injured after an alleged Coalition strike near Mosul. According to the Iraqi state news agency NINA, “a doctor was martyred and three other doctors were wounded in bombing which targeted health centers in the Hamam al-Alil area, and also hit uninhabited residential buildings close to

Summary

First published
November 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 16, 2015

Incident Code

CI141

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

A family of six was reportedly killed after an alleged Coalition airstrike was said to have destroyed a car in the centre of Ramadi. The source of the claim appeared to be the Russian Sputnik news service, which said those killed “are from poor families, unable to flee and under the control of Daesh in

Summary

First published
November 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident