US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

June 8, 2015

Incident Code

CI072

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Zuhour and other neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq

In January 2016, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq reported that it had learned of a major civilian casualty incident in Mosul on June 8th 2015, though had been unable either to verify the claim or attribute responsibility to any party: “On 8 June, local sources reported that an airstrike in Mosul, Ninewa, caused

Summary

First published
June 8, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 23
(7–8 children9–10 women)
Civilians reported injured
13–21
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

July 9, 2015

Incident Code

CS096

LOCATION

تدمر‎, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

A badly wounded Syrian refugee told Buzzfeed that he believed his injuries had been caused by a Coalition airstrike at Palmyra, although no strikes at that location had been reported at the time (the first publicly reported Coalition strikes on Palmyra were on September 9th 2015.) Mohamed Raja, aged 23, lost his right arm and

Summary

First published
July 9, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2015

Incident Code

CI094

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source, NINA, reported that a Coalition strike on a house at Hamam al-Alil, near Mosul “led to the martyrdom of all the family that inhabited consisted of nine members, including three children and a woman.“ As NINA noted: “Local residents told the National Iraqi News Agency that the international coalition aircraft bombed a

Summary

First published
August 21, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(3 children1 woman)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Incident Code

CS130

LOCATION

السلخة, Jala'a (Al-Salakha), Deir Ezzor, Syria

France’s first air strike in Syria was alleged to have killed at least 30 child soldiers of Islamic State, according to reports. The attack – which France later declared was a five-hour raid by multiple aircraft on a ‘Daesh training camp’ – targeted among other sites a palm grove at Al Shalkha, near the town

Summary

First published
September 27, 2015
Last updated
March 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 50
(12–30 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.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
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

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

January 27, 2016

Incident Code

CS168

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

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

Summary

First published
January 27, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 10
(4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

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

April 10, 2016

Incident Code

CS200

LOCATION

تل حسين, Tall Hussein, Aleppo, Syria

Multiple sources named five civilian victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tal Hussain. Almost all sources blamed the Coalition for the civilian deaths, although Halab News and the Syrian Human Rights Committee said Russia was responsible. The village was the scene of a major battle for control between rebels and Daesh fighters.  

Summary

First published
April 10, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(1 child1 woman4 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
5 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 1, 2016

Incident Code

CS222

LOCATION

السكاوية, Al Sakkawya, Aleppo, Syria

One adult civilian male named as Saif Al Din Mohammad Al Sheikh was reported killed by a single source. According to the Syrian Network, “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted residential houses in Al Sakkawya village, affiliated to Manbej city in the eastern suburbs of Aleppo, which resulted in the killing

Summary

First published
June 1, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

June 30, 2016

Incident Code

CI260

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, East [Cultural group], Nineveh, Iraq

According to local sources, a targeted Coalition strike on the local head of ISIL’s sharia courts killed both him and his wife. They reportedly held French passports. The strike targeted the Al-Majmoa’ Al-Thaqafiya area of western Mosul. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were

Summary

First published
June 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS268

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Fifteen or more civilians reportedly died in an alleged Coalition night time strike on the Al Hazwana neighbourhood of Manbij, according to multiple reports. Manbij Mother of all the World said the ‘terrible massacre’ took place near the al Karama school. The Syrian Observatory issued an urgent call to the Coalition and its allies: “We

Summary

First published
July 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 16
(3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI288

LOCATION

عكاشات, Akashat or Saada, Al Anbar, Iraq

An alleged Coalition airstrike in the al Qaim area resulted in the deaths of five civilians including two named children, according to reports. Yaqein placed the incident on the evening of Saturday 17th. Picture of two unnamed boys emerged the same day, whose deaths were blamed on the Coalition. Two other civilians named as were among

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
7
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2016

Incident Code

CI296

LOCATION

Makkuk (near Qaryah), Nineveh, Iraq

Local eyewitness said that two children were killed and another injured badly when Coalition airstrike targeted an ISIL building in Makkuk village in Makhmur near Qayyarah at 10.10am. While al Rafidain made no mention of civilian casualties, it reported “a rocket attack caused the destruction of an ISIL facility in Qayyarah.”  

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Incident Code

CI316

LOCATION

حي القدس, Mosul, Al-Quds, Nineveh, Iraq

Four women were killed and 17 people injured, including women and children, followed an alleged Coalition strikes according to local media. However, the Coalition later refuted any involvement. An initial report from ISIL-controlled al A’amaq claimed that four women were killed and 17 people injured, including women and children in the US bombing in parts

Summary

First published
November 2, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 women)
Civilians reported injured
17
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 11, 2016

Incident Code

CI333

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars’ Iraq researcher met three young victims of violence in eastern Mosul at an evacuation centre. The three children were all boys aged between 10-11 years. Two were brothers who had been injured by an unidentified explosion outside their home in eastern Mosul on November 14th. The third said he had been injured by an

Summary

First published
November 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS390

LOCATION

قرية مراط, Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In confused reporting, both Russia and the Coalition were blamed for the deaths of between 4 and 5 civilians at Marat (see also the next report.) According to Euphrates Post (which like all sources did not attribute responsibility) the home of Thabet al Darwish was targeted by warplanes killing five family members: “two women and

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
7
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI364

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

At least 60 civilians were killed and as many as 100 injured in a series of airstrikes in al Qaim, according to reports. However, the alleged Coalition later denied responsibility. Iraqi Spring Media Center said that 60 civilians were killed and 100 injured in an Iraqi government bombing that targeted al Qaim. A report posted

Summary

First published
December 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
60 – 120
(21 children13 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
100
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 30, 2016

Incident Code

CI381

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

An unnamed doctor at a local medical centre near Mosul told Iraqi Spring Media Centre that his facility had received 200 civilians over the preceding 24 hours, as a result of bombing and mortar shelling. In related news, Kurdistan’s health minister told reporters that health facilities in the region had so far received 13,000 injured

Summary

First published
December 30, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
200
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 8, 2017

Incident Code

CI405

LOCATION

حي السكر, Mosul, Sukkar, Nineveh, Iraq

Local reports indicated that shelling struck civilian homes in Sukkar, Talla and Mufthana neighborhoods in eastern Mosul, “resulting in the burying of dozens of civilians under the rubble,” according to an account in a report by Iraqi Spring Media Center. Ajel el Mosul later released a video it said related to the incident, claiming that

Summary

First published
January 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2017

Incident Code

CI427

LOCATION

Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that many civilians were killed or injured in Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces, in neigbourhoods at the left side of Mosul. The Iraqi Spring Media Center had tracked the bombings “from dawn until now” and said the raids targeted residential neighbourhoods. It said that hundreds of civilians were fleeing.

Summary

First published
January 16, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 29, 2017

Incident Code

CS464

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian, a gas station attendant, was reported killed along with four ISIL fighters following an alleged Coalition airstrike at Ar Raqqah. According to Smart News, “One civilian was killed and another wounded, in addition to the killing of a number of members of the Islamic State on Sunday, in a warplane attack likely to

Summary

First published
January 29, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 12, 2017

Incident Code

CI456

LOCATION

ملعب الادراة المحلية, Mosul, Stadium and Bab-Al Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that civilians were killed or injured after 37 alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted Mosul club yard and the surrounding buildings, as well as Al-Shafaa neighborhood, at the right side of Mosul. Majid Hamid Alhvozi died in the raids, according to Swalif Maslawyia (Facebook). His brothers Mustafa and Abdul Rahman were reportedly injured.  

Summary

First published
February 12, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–1
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS508

LOCATION

Khatouniya & Salhabiya, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian died and two others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the villages of Khatouniya and al Salhabiya, according to a single source. Smart reported that “a local source said Coalition aircraft bombed the villages of Khatouniya and Salhabiya in the western Raqqa countryside which resulted in the killing of one civilian

Summary

First published
February 19, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2017

Incident Code

CI480

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local and press sources claimed that nine civilians were killed and more than twenty wounded in an airstrike conducted by planes of the US-led Coalition on Al Qa’im City. According to Yaqein “a news source said that Coalition forces launched intensive raids on the city of Qaim, western Anbar province, killing nine civilians. The source

Summary

First published
February 24, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
22–35
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

March 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS545

LOCATION

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Raqqa, Syria

Between one and five civilians died and nine others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ksrat Sheikh al Juma’a, according to single source Smart News. There was some confusion in reporting. In the first paragraph, Smart said that one civilian died, but in the second paragraph put the death toll at five. A

Summary

First published
March 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI520

LOCATION

Mosul, al Amil, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “March 8, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no

Summary

First published
March 7, 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

March 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS587

LOCATION

شبهر, Shabhar, Raqqa, Syria

Seven named civilians including four women and a child died in a reported Coalition strike in Raqqah governorate – though there was confusion about whether they had died at Shabhar or Al Matar. Orient News, citing Raqqa Post, said that seven civilians – five from the Matar family – died. It blamed the Coalition. Raqqa

Summary

First published
March 18, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
(1–6 children4–5 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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS606

LOCATION

حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians died and dozens more were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the Rumaila neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local sources. Syrian News Desk reported that “four civilians were killed and 11 others wounded including children, by the Coalition targeting Maysaloun school and nearby houses in Rumaila district east of al-Raqqa with four raids.

Summary

First published
March 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
11–24
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

March 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS625

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

According to a single source, Raqqa Post, one male civilian was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqa. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

First published
March 26, 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