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

November 14, 2015

Incident Code

CS144

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah [exact location], Raqqa, Syria

At least three civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, the alliance later confirmed. At the time the Syrian Observatory cited “reliable sources’ as saying that “Coalition warplanes targeted a heavy machine gun for IS near al-Nour mosque but missed the target and killed 3 people at least by opening fire on a house.”

Summary

First published
November 14, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 12, 2015

Incident Code

CI139

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

In a previously unknown casualty event, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that one civilian was killed during a US airstrike at Ramadi. According to the official release, “On Nov. 12, 2015, in Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike targeting ISIL fighters, it is assessed that one civilian was killed.” There were no reports of civilian

Summary

First published
November 12, 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
View Incident

Incident date

November 11, 2015

Incident Code

CI138

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Seven civilians from the same family were reported killed in the second day of alleged Coalition strikes to the south of Mosul. In their January 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
November 11, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 10, 2015

Incident Code

CI137

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Rifai (Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq

There were claims that 12 primary school children were injured following an alleged Coalition airstrike at Rifai, west of Mosul. No other details are presently available. In their January 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

Summary

First published
November 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

November 10, 2015

Incident Code

CS143

LOCATION

البوثة, Bootha, Al Hassakah, Syria

Up to nine civilians from two families were killed in an alleged Coalition dawn strike at the small village of al Bootha – near to the Tishreen oilfield, and close to the scene of fierce clashes between Kurdish ground forces and Daesh. The Union of Hassakah Youth initially attributed the attack to the Forces for

Summary

First published
November 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
(3–2 children2–3 women4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 8, 2015

Incident Code

CI136

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Locals claimed that up to 13 civilians were killed – including six children – and another five injured after the Coalition allegedly bombed a residential neighborhood in Qayyarah in Mosul. DPA also said four Daesh fighters were killed in the attack, which “destroyed about 18 tankers loaded with oil in an attack on an ISIL-occupied

Summary

First published
November 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 13
(6 children)
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 7, 2015

Incident Code

CI135a

LOCATION

Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq

According to a field investigation conducted by reporters Azmah Khan and Anand Gopal for the New York Times Magazine, one civilian was killed and one injured by a Coalition airstrike on Qayyarah – both of them young children. The Coalition admitted the casualties in early 2020. Khan and Ghopal report the following: “Tibea Alla, a

Summary

First published
November 7, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 5, 2015

Incident Code

CI135

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Heavy Coalition airstrikes on Mosul resulted in a number of civilian casualties, according to reports. Face Iraq said medical sources in the city reported no fatalities. However three civilians were said to have been injured after an airstrike hit a Daesh prison in the western Badush area of the city. And one student was said

Summary

First published
November 5, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(0–1 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

November 4, 2015

Incident Code

CI133

LOCATION

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq

Five non-combatants were reportedly killed and four more injured after an alleged Coalition airstrike hit a home at Hammam al-Alil. According to NINA, “international Coalition aircraft bombed residential neighborhoods in the Hamam al-Alil area, and the shelling resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including a child, and the wounding of four others.” A Daesh

Summary

First published
November 4, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 4, 2015

Incident Code

CI134

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

In a casualty event previously unknown to Airwars, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that two civilians were injured during a US airstrike at Huwaijah. According to the official release, “On Nov. 4, 2015, in Al Huwayjah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that two civilians were injured. The incident

Summary

First published
November 4, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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 2, 2015

Incident Code

CI132

LOCATION

سنجار, Sinjar, Um Al Theban, Nineveh, Iraq

Eleven civilians were reportedly killed at Um Al Theban while crossing between Syria and Iraq, in what was claimed to be a Coalition airstrike. The incident is presently poorly reported. In its July 2017 report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of having conducted no strikes in the vicinity: “Nov. 2,

Summary

First published
November 2, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
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

October 31, 2015

Incident Code

CI131

LOCATION

المحلبية, Mahalabiya, Nineveh, Iraq

Four people from one family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike, after missiles hit a civilian home. While a number of outlets reported the incident there are no more details presently available. 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
October 31, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 31, 2015

Incident Code

CS141

LOCATION

الهول, Al Hawl, Al Hassakah, Syria

Three civilian men were reported killed when their vehicle was struck in a Coalition airstrike, according to reports. This incident is presently single source only with VDC naming the three men. In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of proximity: “Oct. 31, 2015, near Al Hawl,

Summary

First published
October 31, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
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

October 30, 2015

Incident Code

CI131a

LOCATION

Qayyarah City Hall, Qayyarah City Hall area, Nineveh, Iraq

More than four years after the event, the Coalition finally conceded the death of a civilian during an October 2015 airstrike on Qayarrah. According to a field investigation conducted by reporters Azmah Khan and Anand Gopal for the New York Times Magazine, one civilian was killed by a Coalition airstrike on Qayyarah in this incident.

Summary

First published
October 30, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 26, 2015

Incident Code

CI130

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Three civilian homes were hit in an alleged night time Coalition airstrike – killing an unspecified number of civilians, according to local reports. The event took place near So’dud School and al Tawfiq mosque in Jugheifi neighbourhood. Al Fallujah News posted a picture of a burning building, though said the damage was instead due to

Summary

First published
October 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

October 22, 2015

Incident Code

CS140

LOCATION

البلعوم, Baloum, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to reports civilian facility guard Waleed Mekhlef Al Abbad was killed in a Coalition raid on the Al Omar oil field. According to local reports, midnight airstrikes were followed by a raid involving up to six Coalition helicopters. Ara News cited media activist Yasser al-Dairi from Al Mayadeen as saying the raid “targeted an

Summary

First published
October 22, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 19, 2015

Incident Code

CI129

LOCATION

تل كيف‎, Tel Kepe (Tel Kayf), Nineveh, Iraq

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq reported that seven people died when a minbus was struck in an airstrike near Mosul. According to UNAMI, “At 10h30 a.m. on 20 October, seven civilians were killed – including three women and two children – and one was seriously wounded when the minibus in which they were

Summary

First published
October 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(2 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI128

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

A single source reported that members of a family were killed or injured, after Coalition aircraft reportedly struck three civilian cars near the city of Hawijah. The victims were said to be travelling to Hawijah to pick up their state pensions. According to NRN, “the international coalition may have believed that those cars were linked

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CS139

LOCATION

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

An adult male was killed in a reported Coalition strike at Sukhna. While he was described as a civilian by one source, all others reported that he was in fact a combatant. The VDC has named Sabri Abd al Wahab al Ozbaki as a civilian victim of what it says was “coalition air force’s shelling.”

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI127

LOCATION

القوسيات, Alqosjat, Nineveh, Iraq

In what may be a separate incident or confused reporting (see also the Kisik Junction report for this date) there were reports of a family of eight or nine killed at Alqosjat – an event said to have killed a woman and two children. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(2 children1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI125

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Six civilians were reported killed and 27 injured in an alleged Coalition strike at al Qaim in Anbar province.  

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
27
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI126

LOCATION

الكسك, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

A civilian taxi was reportedly destroyed in a Coalition airstrike at Kisik Junction north west of Mosul, killing up to eight civilians including two children and a woman. A girl reportedly survived the attack. The event, described as an evening airstrike, led to the deaths of a number of named victims. The Coalition has confirmed striking

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 8
(2 children1 woman2 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI124

LOCATION

عنه, Anah al Jadidah, Al Anbar, Iraq

One woman was reported killed and up to ten other civlians injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Anah, a town close to Hit. According to Iraqi Revolution, houses and shops were damaged in the event. A video obtained by A3Maq showed burning buildings in the appparent aftermath of a night-time attack. In their January

Summary

First published
October 18, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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

October 17, 2015

Incident Code

CS138

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Four named civilians were reported killed in an airstrike at Manbij, although opinions were split as to whether the victims had been killed by the Assad regime or by the Coalition. As Ara News noted, “the identity of the planes remains unknown, because of the number of different actors that are bombing the Aleppo countryside

Summary

First published
October 17, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(3–4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2015

Incident Code

CI123

LOCATION

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to local sources, ten civilians were killed and 23 wounded after Coalition aircraft struck Hit city, in the west of Anbar province. According to Iraqi Revolution a number of civilian homes at Shap Corniche were destroyed in the attack which had targeted Daesh elements, with children reportedly among the victims. One photograph showed a

Summary

First published
October 16, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
4–33
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

CI122

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

In a previously unknown casualty event, the US confirmed on January 29th 2016 that its aircraft had injured at least two civilians in a targeted strike on an ISIL religious judge three months earlier. According to CENTCOM, “On Oct. 15, 2015, near Tal Afar, Iraq, during strikes against ISIL Sharia Judge Mullah Maysar, it was

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Incident Code

CS137

LOCATION

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

In a Coalition targeted strike, three men were killed when a car was destroyed at Al Atarib on the road between Sarmada and Bab Al-Hawa. The Coalition originally reported destroying a car at Aleppo on October 15th-16th 2015. This was later amended to a US unilateral action, a targeted killing which the Pentagon said had

Summary

First published
October 15, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 3
(0–3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2015

Incident Code

CS136

LOCATION

حربل, Harbel, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilians, sharing the same surname, were reported killed, either by Coalition airstrikes or a car bomb either in Harbel or in Deir Hafer in Aleppo governorate. According to a Sultan Al-Musalmeh, two “young men” were killed by a car bomb when they were trying to “emigrate from Syria”. All sources identified the individuals as

Summary

First published
October 10, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI121

LOCATION

كبيسة, Kabaisa, Al Anbar, Iraq

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

Summary

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