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

October 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI866

LOCATION

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

According to one local source reported that many civilians were killed or injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted several areas in Qaim, west of Anbar province. Yaqein attributed the bombings in different areas of Al Qaim to the International Alliance. The other local sources reported that the airstrike on Al Qaim was linked to the start of a

Summary

First published
October 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

September 19, 2019

Incident Code

CS1932

LOCATION

الزر, Al Zer, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two unidentified men were killed by an alleged drone strike from the International Coalition in the morning of September 19th, according to local sources. It is unclear whether these were civilians. Several sources claimed the men were masked and riding a motorcycle when they were hit by an airstrike, which Euphrates Post believed to have

Summary

First published
September 19, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
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
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–2
View Incident

Incident date

May 16, 2020

Incident Code

CS1945

LOCATION

بالقرب من مسجد أبو بكر الصديق ,البصيره, Vicinity of Abu Bakr Al Siddiq mosuqe, Al Basira , Deir Ezzor, Syria

The homes of civilians were reportedly raided and bombed by alleged Coalition forces in a possible joint action with the Syrian Democratic Forces in the city of Al Basira, Deir Ezzor governorate, on May 16th, 2020, leading to the death of five possible civilians. Sources additionally reported that two to three men likely linked to

Summary

First published
May 16, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
Belligerents reported killed
2–7
Belligerents reported injured
2
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

February 8, 2022

Incident Code

CS1978

LOCATION

البصيرة, Bisira, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one civilian, a child, was killed and his father was injured in an alleged airdrop operation by the Coalition and the SDF in the city of Bisira on February 8, 2022. A tweet from @DeirEzzorNow reported that the International Coalition and HAT forces carried out a landing operation in the city of Bisira that

Summary

First published
February 8, 2022
Last updated
October 12, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Town
View Incident

Incident date

May 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS216

LOCATION

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Shaam News reported that an ‘entire family‘ was injured in an alleged Coalition evening airstrike on Al Mayadeen. No additional details are presently known. Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes in Deir Ezzor that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there

Summary

First published
May 23, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

February 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI448

LOCATION

Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in April that a self-assessment had concluded no civilian casualties had occured in a February 4th action at Mosul. According to the report: “Feb. 4, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that

Summary

First published
February 4, 2017
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

February 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS516

LOCATION

AL-SAHAMIYAH AND AL - FATATISH, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on media claims of civilian harm “near al Raqqah, Syria”. According to the Coalition report, “7. Feb. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via media report: After a review of available information it was assessed that

Summary

First published
February 20, 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 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI524

LOCATION

Mosul, Amil/ al Mua'lmen, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in a strike between Amil and al Mua’lmen neighbourhoods. Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted “During a strike to crater roads used by ISIS VBIEDs against Iraqi Security Forces, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS629

LOCATION

الزور, Al Zor, Raqqa, Syria

According to Sharqiya Voice, “one person was wounded and 50 sheep were killed in the Zor area east of Euphrates after being targeted by American artillery.” NRVR11 and Revolutionaries of Raqqa, however, reported that “many people” were injured in the incident.

Summary

First published
March 27, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2017

Incident Code

CI644

LOCATION

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later denied a social media claim that it had caused civilian casualties at Anah. According to its June report “April 16, 2017, near Annah, Iraq, via social media: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Summary

First published
April 16, 2017
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

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS761

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a previously unknown allegation, the Coalition denied involvement in an incident that they said was reported on social media. In their July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition wrote: “May 1, 2017, near Tabqah, Syria, via social media report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Summary

First published
May 1, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS800

LOCATION

Al Sakuriyah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in an event near Raqqa. Their August 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike to crater roads used by ISIS VBIEDs, it was assessed that one civilian was injured when his vehicle entered the target area after

Summary

First published
May 11, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS825

LOCATION

near Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Summary

First published
May 14, 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.
View Incident

Incident date

May 30, 2017

Incident Code

CI740

LOCATION

Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on a self-reported claim of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “95. May 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was

Summary

First published
May 30, 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

October 31, 2017

Incident Code

CI873

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz (near al-Qaiem, Iraq), Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later announced the injuries of two civilians in an event near al Qaim. Their June 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike destroyed Daesh headquarters, two civilians were unintentionally injured.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a

Summary

First published
October 31, 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

June 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI765

LOCATION

القائم‎, Al Qa’im, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition confirmed on Oct. 27, 2017 that it had unintentionally killed four civilians. The provided coordinates placed the event in the near Al Qa’im town in the Al Anbar Governorate. There are currently no further details known about the incident.

Summary

First published
June 15, 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.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 20, 2015

Incident Code

CI062

LOCATION

القيارة, near Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Summary

First published
April 20, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Incident Code

CS1940

LOCATION

طريق بين عفرين وإعزاز، قريب من تقاطع قيبار, Road between Afrin and A’zaz, close to Qibar Junction, Aleppo, Syria

Up to three people were reported killed – one of whom was said to be a militant leader in the Ahrar al-Sham Movement which is affiliated with the Syrian National Army – in an alleged Coalition drone strike on their car on Afrin- Azaz road in Aleppo, Syria, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources.

Summary

First published
December 7, 2019
Last updated
July 7, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 3
(0–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
0–2
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
Belligerents reported killed
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

June 19, 2015

Incident Code

CS084

LOCATION

العدوانية, Al-'Adwaniyah, Al Hassakah, Syria

In a previously unreported incident, CENTCOM reported on January 2016 that the US had injured a non-combatant during an airstrike. The release stated: “On June 19, 2015, near Tall al Adwaniyah, Syria, during a strike against two ISIL vehicles, it is assessed that one civilian was injured when appearing in the target area after the

Summary

First published
June 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2021

Incident Code

CS1957

LOCATION

مبروكة‎, Mabrouka countryside, Al Hassakah, Syria

At least one named man, whose status as a civilian or belligerent presently remains contested, was killed and a civilian was injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes (or possibly an IED attack) near the city of Ras Al-Ain in the Al Hassaka countryside on April 4th 2021. The UK declared a Reaper drone strike in the

Summary

First published
April 9, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
UK Military
Suspected targets
ISIS, Other
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

January 21, 2023

Incident Code

CS1990

LOCATION

الشحيل, Al Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A civilian was injured during a declared raid carried out by CENTCOM and partner forces in Al Shahil on January 21, 2023. Up to three alleged ISIS members were also arrested during the raid. CENTCOM released a statement that “US Central Command forces conducted a partnered helicopter and ground assault raid in eastern Syria, Jan. 21,

Summary

First published
January 21, 2023
Last updated
June 9, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Geolocation
Neighbourhood/area
View Incident

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI190

LOCATION

الرحمانية, Ar Rayhaniyah, Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, CENTCOM issued a statement on July 28th 2016 saying that it had injured a civilian during an airstrike on Ar Rayhaniyah: The official release noted that “On February 16, 2016, in Ar Rayhaniyah, Iraq near Mosul, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that one

Summary

First published
February 16, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
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, 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

April 12, 2017

Incident Code

CI634

LOCATION

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later denied a social media claim that it had caused civilian casualties at Anah. According to its June report “April 12, 2017, near Annah, Iraq, via social media: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

Summary

First published
April 12, 2017
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

May 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS787

LOCATION

حي الاسكندرية, Tabaqah, Ishtiqariyah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in a strike on ISIS headquarters in al Tabaqah. Their August 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS headquarters, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian, who was not observed near

Summary

First published
May 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS1265

LOCATION

سوق المواشي والحبوب, Al Mayadin, Sheep market, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Four members of IS died when the car they were in was allegedly struck by the Coalition, local media reported. One source, Fresh Syria, also said that an unspecified number of nearby civilians were wounded in the event. According to Fresh Syria “aircraft of the International Coalition targeted a car, believed to belong to ISIS,

Summary

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

September 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS1461

LOCATION

Sabha and al Jadid crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source, LCCSY, reported that “two people were injured in the air raids of the International Alliance on the slopes of Al-Sabha and Al Jadid in the eastern countryside”. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
September 9, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

August 3, 2018

Incident Code

CS1787

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa (possibly east of village), Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike near the village of al Sha’afa, local sources reported. According to Sound and Picture, “vehicles carrying displaced civilians” were struck by Coalition aircraft, resulting in “a number of wounded”. This was reiterated by Marsad al Hassaka. The Al Sha’afa Facebook page was the only source that

Summary

First published
August 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Incident Code

CI135a

LOCATION

Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq

According to a field investigation conducted by reporters Azmat 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
July 30, 2024
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