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

February 26, 2015

Incident Code

CI045

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to Reuters, a coalition airstrike which killed 17 Islamic State militants also caused the deaths of 9 non-combatants: “The hospital source in al-Qaim, a town on the Euphrates River, said nine civilians were killed and 29 militants were wounded in the strike by the U.S.-led coalition which is bombing Islamic State targets in Iraq

Summary

First published
February 26, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 12
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

May 20, 2015

Incident Code

CS069

LOCATION

التوامة, Tawama, Aleppo, Syria

According to Al Jazeera and others, a Coalition strike on the al Nusra Front at al Tawama destroyed a number of civilian buildings, killing as many as seven inhabitants. Fifteen alleged militants – most described as ‘Turks’ – also died in the attack which reportedly struck two separate locations in the village. According to Sana

Summary

First published
May 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 11
(1 child)
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 6, 2015

Incident Code

CI090

LOCATION

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq

There were claims that a Coalition strike at ar Rutbah destroyed a family home in the Askari neighbourhood owned by Yaseen Al-Hiti and Jamal Raheem Uda Al-Kubeisi – who were both reported killed along with Mr al-Hiti’s wife Zia and one or two of their children – one a daughter also named Zia. A further

Summary

First published
August 6, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–2 children1 woman1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
8–10
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
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2015

Incident Code

CS127

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two women, sharing the same surname, al-Naji, were reported by a single source as having been killed in a Coalition strike at Raqaa. They are listed as originally from Talbissa is Homs. No other details about this even are presently known. In its monthly civilian harm assessment report for November 2019 – published on January

Summary

First published
September 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
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

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

January 12, 2016

Incident Code

CI176

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

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

Summary

First published
January 12, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS182

LOCATION

Bahssa, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two civilian males named as Ahmad Salem Al A’tiya and Issa Turky Al Sulayman died in an alleged Coalition strike on a car in the village of Al Bahsa, west of al Shadadi. Al Jazeera also noted the event: “In Hassakah northeast Syria, activists reported the fall of two dead and several wounded in air

Summary

First published
February 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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

April 5, 2016

Incident Code

CI216

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In the third reported civilian casualty event of the day, seven civilians from the same family including children and women were reported killed after Coalition jets allegedly targeted an ISIL-occupied house but missed, instead striking the next door house. The attack reportedly took place in the Engineers neighbourhood of west Mosul, and the Daesh militants

Summary

First published
April 5, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
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

May 7, 2016

Incident Code

CS210

LOCATION

احتيملات, Ahtemlat, Aleppo, Syria

Six civilians including up to 5 children died in a reported night time Coalition strike at Ahtemlat in Aleppo governorate. Graphic images showed the bodies of at least two infants being recovered. According to the Syrian Observatory, “SOHR activists were informed that no less than 4 IS including a commander were killed by aerial bombardment

Summary

First published
May 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(5 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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

June 13, 2016

Incident Code

CI250

LOCATION

الشرقاط, Al Shirqat, Salah Al Din, Iraq

Local sources claimed a whole family was killed after Coalition warplanes allegedly destroyed their house in the Sharqat region. News of Iraq reported that the Coalition allegedly bombed civilian homes in Sharqat, resulting in the destruction of a house and the deaths all of the family members inside it. A video posted by Daesh propagandists

Summary

First published
June 13, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 13
(2 children4 women1 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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI263

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

A single source claimed that Coalition strikes in the vicinity of Hawijah killed five non-combatants and injured an additional 12 people. A number of homes were reportedly damaged in the incident. No additional information is presently known.

Summary

First published
July 7, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS278

LOCATION

النواجة, Al Nawaja, Aleppo, Syria

As many as 22 civilians were reported killed at the village of al Nawaja, as the Coalition-supported offensive continued. However the Coalition later denied responsibility for the incident, noting that “the JCTF did not conduct any strikes in that geographic location.” According to one source, “al Nawaja village is divided into two neighbourhoods. The eastern

Summary

First published
July 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 22
(2 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 23, 2016

Incident Code

CI281

LOCATION

حي الحدباء, Mosul, Hadba and Zuhoor, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources claimed that the Coalition struck allegedly Hadbah and Zuhoor neighbourhoods in Mosul resulting in up to 10 deaths and additional injuries among other civilians. However US-led alliance has informed Airwars that We can confirm that no Coalition strikes were conducted in Mosul between August 22nd and August 24th. According to Yaqein, the international airline

Summary

First published
August 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 10
Civilians reported injured
7–15
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 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS335 TS005b

LOCATION

تل بطال, Tall Btal, Aleppo, Syria

Between 3 and 4 displaced people were reported killed in camps near Tal Btal, a village south of Ra’i in the Aleppo countryside. It was unclear whether Turkey or the Coalition was responsible. Ramaf reported that an attack hit a camp, claiming “the lives of three martyrs and [left] more than fifteen wounded as a

Summary

First published
October 11, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(0–1 children)
Civilians reported injured
15
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, Turkish Military
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 26, 2016

Incident Code

CS350 TS005e

LOCATION

نعمان, Nu'man, Aleppo, Syria

Ten civilians were killed by alleged Turkish or Coalition airstrikes in the vicinity of Nu’man, according to local sources. The US-led alliance later denied conducing strikes in the vicinity on this date. An initial report by ISIS-controlled propaganda unit Al A’amaq said that “10 civilians [were] killed in American raids on a group of fuel

Summary

First published
October 26, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
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, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident date

November 8, 2016

Incident Code

CS366

LOCATION

الكالطة, Qaltah, Raqqa, Syria

Two children were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a tractor at Qaltah. The source appeared to be ISIL media arm Al A’amaq. Al Jazeera said five civilians in total died – though suggested some of the deaths occured elsewhere. Qassioun stated that “fighter jets of the international coalition launched a massive air

Summary

First published
November 8, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(2 children)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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

November 19, 2016

Incident Code

CS382

LOCATION

العبارة, `Abbarah, Raqqa, Syria

A named mother and child were killed and five civilians injured in a reported Coalition airstrike on al I’bara. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, Khatoun Shawwaz al Hamoud and her young son Hamad died when the Coalition targeted their village. The Syrian Observatory reported that the airstrikes also displaced other civilians from the village.

Summary

First published
November 19, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 4, 2016

Incident Code

CS401

LOCATION

كبش غربي, Kabish Gharbi, Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported civilian casualties following an alleged Coalition raid at Khabish Gharbi. According to Smart News, “one civilian was killed and others wounded in coalition raids on the village of Kabish Gharbi north of Raqqa.” In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016,

Summary

First published
December 4, 2016
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

December 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI375

LOCATION

شارع خالد بن الوليد, Mosul, Khalid Bin Al Waleed street / Al Masrif, Nineveh, Iraq

Seven civilians were killed in alleged Coalition strikes, according to local sources. ISIL-controlled Al A’amaq reported that seven people died in a US bombing at Khalid Bin Waleed Street on the eastern side of Mosul. At least three other outlets, including Al Kawaser reported identical reports, using the same language. A local source later named

Summary

First published
December 20, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(1 child)
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 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI399

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq

Five civilians were reported killed, including three children and two women in raids in West Mosul. Shafaaq reported that strikes of unknown origin had that “wrongly” targeted displaced people west of Mosul.  

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 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, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2017

Incident Code

CI438

LOCATION

Wadi Hajjar, Nineveh, Iraq

Three civilians were reportedly injured by ISF (or possibly Coalition) mortars according to eyewitness interviews by Amnesty International. A previously unpublished assessment which Amnesty shared with Airwars reads as follows: “On 25 January an ISF mortar [Airwars note: presumed – but possibly US, see below] landed on their house in Wadi Hajjar and caused it

Summary

First published
January 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

February 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS479

LOCATION

الرحيات, Al Rahiat, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians were reportedly killed and seven injured in a night time Coaltion strike on al Rahiat near Raqqa. According to Smart News “warplanes bombed, late on Thursday night, the band 17, al Assadiya farm and Al Rahiat, north of Raqqa, killing four civilians, including two women, and injuring seven others, including children, were killed,

Summary

First published
February 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI466

LOCATION

جامع يحيى الطالب, Mosul, Omar al Taleb mosque, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians in an event near Mosul. Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS headquarters building, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally injured.” The Coalition provided Airwars with

Summary

First published
February 18, 2017
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

February 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS527

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Tabaqa, according to Smart News and the Syrian journalist Mazen Mohammad. Jisr TV reported that the Coalition carried out raids but did not mention any casualties. On April 30th 2017 the Coalition declared the event ‘not credible’, noting: “Feb. 22, 2017, near Tabqah, Syria, via

Summary

First published
February 22, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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

February 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS541

LOCATION

جسر الرقة, Old Bridge, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the old bridge in Raqqa, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “Coalition planes launcedh new raids targeting the old Raqqa bridge, destroying large parts of it, in addition to killing the young man Ahmad Saleh al Arab“. According to Step news

Summary

First published
February 27, 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

March 6, 2017

Incident Code

CI514

LOCATION

الدواسة, Mosul, Dawassa area, Nineveh, Iraq

Local residents sources said that between 41 and 52 civilians were killed, including 23 children and one woman, and more than 70 injured after Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi government forces struck civilian homes at dawn, at the right side of Mosul. Witnesses told Iraq News that there were “dozens of women and children

Summary

First published
March 6, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
41 – 52
(23 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
70
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS566

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria

One civilian died and three were injured in an alleged Coalition air strike on Al Mansoura town, according to a single source. Smart News said that warplanes “likely” belonging to the Coalition “launched raids on the burners for oil [primitive oil refineries] near the town of Mansoura [24 km west of the city of Raqqa]

Summary

First published
March 11, 2017
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

March 17, 2017

Incident Code

CI549

LOCATION

الميدان, Mosul, Medan, Nineveh, Iraq

According to local residents and the recently formed Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights, up to 80 civilians died when heavy airstrikes and shelling destroyed multiple houses in Meydan neighbourhood in Old Mosul. According to Iraqi Spring Media Centre, 20 houses were destroyed. It spoke of “dozens of bodies” under the rubble. Activists and aid workers

Summary

First published
March 17, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
40 – 80
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS621

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

A single source, the Smart news agency, reported the death of eight civilians including two children and three women in an alleged artillery and/ or airstrike on the Second neighbourhood in Tabaqa. According to Smart, “On Friday evening [March 24th], an artillery bombardment by the Syrian Democratic Forces took place in the town of Al-Tabaqa.

Summary

First published
March 25, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(2 children3 women)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident