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

June 19, 2016

Incident Code

CS234

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria

Between 10 and 16 civilians including one woman were killed and 30-35 injured in airstrikes on Tabaqa – though reports are conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Assad regime carried out the attacks. However, the majority of the sources allege Russia was responsible. LCCSY, Syria 2011 and the Syrian Revolution all named

Summary

First published
June 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 16
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
30–35
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
Named victims
8 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS415

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

Sixteen child soldiers were killed in Coalition airstrikes at al Shadadi, according to a local source.    

Summary

First published
December 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 16
(16 children)
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

April 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS759 RS2209

LOCATION

عويجل, Oweijal, Aleppo, Syria

Between 13 and 16 civilians died and four were injured in an “unexplained” explosion in the village of Oweijal, local media said – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia were to blame. Most sources blamed the Syrian regime for the strikes. An unspecific numbers of civilians were wounded, however

Summary

First published
April 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 16
(4–9 children4–5 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
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 Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS1580

LOCATION

التوسعية, Al Tawosoui'ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Fifteen to 16 civilians or more died in an aerial attack reportedly conducted by the US-led Coalition on Al Tawaswiya neighbourhood, Raqqah city, according to local sources. Saeed Ahmed Al Jum’a, his family and another family of relatives were documented killed by the source Marsad Al Hassaka, amongst other reports. According to Smart activists, “the

Summary

First published
October 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 16
(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

January 26, 2016

Incident Code

CI183

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

According to multiple reports, an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hawijah resulted in at least 13 civilian deaths. Al Jazeera reported that 16 died in the incident, which it attributed to the Coalition. The Al Amaq Agency (which often distributes Islamic State propaganda) reported that 13 civilians died in a ‘Coalition strike’ while 11 were injured.

Summary

First published
January 26, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 16
Civilians reported injured
11
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 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS852

LOCATION

البارودة, Al Barouda, Raqqa, Syria

Sixteen civilians including six children and seven women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Barounda village, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) – who blamed the Coalition – initially reported the death of three non-combatants. Step News Agency also put the death toll at three – however, a subsequent

Summary

First published
May 23, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16
(5–6 children6–7 women)
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
Named victims
16 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Incident Code

CI115a

LOCATION

الموصل‎, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Local and medical sources said that 13 civilians were killed and up to six more injured after Coalition planes struck their homes in the centre of Mosul, while three more civilians died after a shop was reportedly struck by the Coalition in the west of the city. This report relates to the west Mosul allegation.

Summary

First published
September 27, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

June 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS1046 RS2295

LOCATION

خشام, Khasham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 16 civilians, including several women and children, were killed and dozens more injured in airstrikes on Khasham village in Deir Ezzor governorate. However, it was not clear who was responsible with allegations lodged against the Coalition, the Russian air force and the Syrian government. In total, five sources alleged that the Coalition was

Summary

First published
June 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13 – 16
(4 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–50
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 Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 24, 2018

Incident Code

CS1815

LOCATION

مسجد الزوية, Hajin: Al Zawiya mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A Coalition airstrike hit the Al-Zawiya Mosque in Hajin – the fourth reported airstrike on a mosque carried out by the Coalition in the governorate of Deir Ezzor in less than a week. Local sources claimed that at least 7 and up to 16 civilians died in this attack. Free Deir Ezzor said that there

Summary

First published
October 24, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 16
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

February 11, 2019

Incident Code

CS1899

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In the final stages of the fight against ISIS in its last territorial stronghold in Al-Baghouz, alleged Coalition shelling killed at least 16 civilians in the evening of February 11th on the outskirts of the town, according to local sources. Monitors reported that among the victims were seven children, eight women and one elderly man,

Summary

First published
February 11, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16
(7 children8 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
View Incident

Incident date

May 16, 2017

Incident Code

CI717

LOCATION

حي العريبي, Mosul, al-Uribe, Nineveh, Iraq

A single local source reported that fifteen civilians from two families died after Coalition airstrikes targeted ISIL fighters who were hiding in their house. This occurred in Uribe neighbourhood, in West Mosul. Presently no further details are known.

Summary

First published
May 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Incident Code

RS631 CS176a

LOCATION

تل الجاير, Al Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria

An airstrike targeted a local taxi bus killing between ten and 15 civilians including up to seven children according to sources – although there was disagreement over whether the Coalition or Russia was responsible. According to the Hassakah Youth Movement, “the Hyundai belongs to Hussein Morei Al Atiya [who died in the attack]. Mr Atiya

Summary

First published
February 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 15
(2–7 children4 men)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Unknown, US-led Coalition
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 18, 2017

Incident Code

CI769

LOCATION

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Fifteen people were reported killed and five more injured in heavy air and artillery strikes on Old Mosul, as Iraqi forces supported by the Coalition continued their push to capture the last ISIL-held neighbourhoods of Mosul. Yaqein – which also reported 10 ISIL carbombs – said that “an aerial and artillery bombardment coincided with the

Summary

First published
June 18, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
5
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

January 23, 2018

Incident Code

CS1716

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 15 civilian including as many as seven women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike at a hospital in al Sha’afa, according to local media. Free Deir Ezzor put the death toll at 14 including seven women. It published photographs of ruins of “the hospital targeted by the Coalition”. According to the Syrian Network

Summary

First published
January 23, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 15
(3–7 women)
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI402

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Dargizliya, Nineveh, Iraq

A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “In the morning of 7 January, 15 civilians, including two women and three children, were alleged to have been killed in an airstrike targeting ISIL vehicles at the Hamameel roundabout in the Dargizliya neighbourhood of eastern

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(3 children2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Incident Code

CI572

LOCATION

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Two named eyewitnesses told The Guardian that fifteen of their family members were buried under the rubble and died in front of them and that dozens were injured. This happened after several airstrikes reportedly struck three houses and other places in the Yarmouk neighborhood, in the west of Mosul. Ali Assad (32) told the British

Summary

First published
March 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(2 women)
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

July 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1277

LOCATION

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to 15 civilians including nine people from the same family died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes near Taybah in Mayadin, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame. The Step News Agency, Smart News Agency and Zamanalwasl were among sources pointing

Summary

First published
July 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 15
(4–5 children2–5 women)
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, Russian Military
Named victims
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2015

Incident Code

CI041

LOCATION

حديثة, Haditha, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources in Haditha reported that up to 15 civilians were killed and an unknown number were injured after an alleged coalition airstrike hit Albu Haiyat mosque at midday prayers. Al Iraq News stated that among those killed were captured “members of the Iraqi security forces who are were being guarded at the mosque.” However

Summary

First published
February 18, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 15
(1–10 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1286a

LOCATION

ساحة شماس, Ar Raqqah: North of Shammas Square, Raqqa, Syria

A family of 15, including eight children and three women, died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their home in Raqqa, according to local sources. Reports – all of which pointed towards the US-led Coalition – named the victims as the Al-Zanna family. According to SHRC, they were displaced from the city of Tadef in

Summary

First published
July 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(8 children3 women4 men)
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
Named victims
15 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI642

LOCATION

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Isilah Zeraei / Agragarian Reform, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that at least eight civilians died after two missiles consecutively hit a two-floor house in Isilah Zeraei neighbourhood in West Mosul. Sources reported a similar incident hours earlier in the same neighbourhood, with casualty numbers so far unknown. Alsharqiya news noted that the two missiles were launched after an ISIL combatant sat

Summary

First published
April 15, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 15
(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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1872

LOCATION

الشعفة زيد بن ثابت, Al Shaafa: vicinity of Zaid Ibn Thabit mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that 15 people were killed when an airstrike targeted the surrounding area of the Zaid Ibn Thabit mosque (زيد بن ثابت) in Al Shaafa. Most victims were reportedly women and children. All sources blamed the Coalition, although one source, Mena Monitor News, reported that the Coalition and SDF were responsible for the

Summary

First published
December 13, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
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 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1224

LOCATION

هشام عبد الملك, Ar Raqqah: Hisham Bin Abd Al Malek neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

At least 9 and up to 15 members of the Salamah family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Hisham Bin Abd al Malek neghbourhood. Local media reported this incident in July of 2017: According to Ahmad al Shibli, Marwan Al Salama and his entire family of nine people were killed when a Coalition

Summary

First published
July 17, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 15
(4 children3 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
12 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2018

Incident Code

CS1811

LOCATION

السوسة , al Soussa: Home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab in al Aaliyya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least 9 and as many as 15 civilians were reported killed, described as women and children of Iraqi origin, following a reported Coalition airstrike on the home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab in al Soussa. The event may be confused in some media and social media reports with one or two nearby additional civilian harm

Summary

First published
October 18, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 15
(4 children2 women)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

July 31, 2017

Incident Code

CS1306

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Fifteen civilians reportedly died in alleged Coalition and SDF actions at Raqqa, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. No further details are currently available. In their August 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 the allegation provided

Summary

First published
July 31, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 4, 2014

Incident Code

CI014

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

An alleged coalition airstrike reportedly hit a market at Al Qaim in western Anbar, killing at least 3 people and injuring up to 35. Two of the victims were named as as Mohamed Ahmed and Ahmed Munir Khitab. Significant damage was reported at the scene. However, the coalition denies carrying out any airstrike in the

Summary

First published
November 4, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 15
(0–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
14–35
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
Named victims
37 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1564 RS2583

LOCATION

Abu Kamal, al Mohadatha school, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 11 and 15 civilians including an entire family died and dozens more were wounded in a reported airstrike near the al Mohadatha school in Abu Kamal, according to local media. Sources, however, were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. A number of reports did not identify the warplanes

Summary

First published
October 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 15
(5 children2 women7 men)
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, Russian Military
Named victims
9 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2015

Incident Code

CS062

LOCATION

Mundbaith Refinery, Tal Abyad, Raqqa, Syria

Up to 30 people, including civilian oilworkers and alleged ISIL militants, died in a night time strike on Mundbaith Refinery according to multiple reports. Ara noted that “The bombing also caused the breaking of glass in houses near the border including shops on the Turkish side, causing panic among the population, and the evacuation of

Summary

First published
March 8, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
2 – 15
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 8, 2015

Incident Code

CI057

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Maydan neighborhood, Bab Lagash, Aqaydat, Wadi Hajar, Denden and Tayyaran, Nineveh, Iraq

According to NINA, an intensive airstrike by the Coalition at dawn killed 11 civilians and injured a further four in Mosul. Strikes reportedly hit the neighbourhoods of Maydan, Bab Lagash, Aqaydat, Wadi Hajar, Denden and Tayyaran. The news website Ajyal reported that up to 30 people had died in an airstrike on a juvenile prison

Summary

First published
April 8, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
11 – 15
Civilians reported injured
4
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 22, 2016

Incident Code

CI345

LOCATION

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

At least 15 civilians were killed and 33 injured by either Coalition or Iraqi airstrikes, according to local sources. The Coalition later denied any role in the incident. Al Jazeera cited local medical sources and reported that 15 civilians were killed and 33 others injured by Iraqi Air Force and Coalition airstrikes in Tal Afar.

Summary

First published
November 22, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
33
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

April 7, 2016

Incident Code

CI220

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

According to the Iraq Oil Report, a fresh attack by Coalition aircraft on the Al Waldy clothing plant in the Al Shifa neighbourhood of eastern Mosul killed 15 civilian workers. According to the site – which uses a network of informants in the city, “On April 7 [ ] air strikes destroyed a small garment

Summary

First published
April 7, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15
(8–10 women)
Civilians reported injured
20
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident