US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

December 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI169

LOCATION

العربي, Mosul, Arabi and Cairo petrol station, Nineveh, Iraq

An alleged Coalition strike on two Daesh positions in western Mosul also reportedly led to an unspecified number of civilian casualties. According to NRN News, vehicles used by Daesh to transport oil were destroyed in a 1pm strike, killing about 15 militants. But the attack also destroyed the ‘Cairo’ gas station, which in turn damaged

Summary

First published
December 29, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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

March 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI201

LOCATION

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Laksh, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said at least four and as many as 13 civilians were killed and 25 injured including children and women after alliance jets struck residential apartments used by displaced people in the Alaymen district of eastern Mosul. The National Iraqi News Agency reported: “residents said that international coalition aircraft bombed a residential compound belonging

Summary

First published
March 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 18
(3 children5 women)
Civilians reported injured
5–30
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 12, 2016

Incident Code

CI265

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Two displaced families from Tikrit were reportedly killed in an alleged Iraqi government or Coalition airstrike at Hawijah. Iraqi Spring reported that all members of his family died in the bombing of their house by the Coalition. Another local source claimed a second family was also killed. There was confusion about who might have been responsible

Summary

First published
July 12, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

CI297

LOCATION

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq

On the second day of the offensive to recapture Mosul, Coalition strikes reportedly damaged a medical center in the south of the city leaving several dead, including at least three children. Al Rafidain Network for Human Rights reported that “American” bombings targeted a health center in Hamam al-Alil, south of Mosul. Ahmed Mashal posted that

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
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

November 9, 2016

Incident Code

CI329

LOCATION

حي العسكري, Mosul, Askari, Nineveh, Iraq

Four civilians were killed followed an alleged Coalition strike, according to one local source. Hakaek reported that a family of four were killed in a Coalition strike in Mosul. It said strikes hit their home in the Al Askari neighbourhood. A source told Hakaek that ISIL fighters were not in the vicinity at the time.

Summary

First published
November 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

December 6, 2016

Incident Code

CI362

LOCATION

Mosul, near al Salem hospital, Iraq

The Coalition mistakenly hit Iraqi forces during an airstrike near al Salem hospital in Mosul, according to some local sources. Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that the Coalition mistakenly targeted” government forces near Salam Hospital in the southeast of Mosul. And Sputnik News claimed that US Air Force bombs left 90 Iraqi military members dead

Summary

First published
December 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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

January 6, 2017

Incident Code

CI396

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Up to eighteen people were killed and 24 injured – mostly women and children – in government and Coalition airstrikes, in Al Qaim, Anbar province. Yaqein reported the incident and added – quoting local sources – that “the raids focused on the areas of Karabila and Saada east of the city, and resulted in the

Summary

First published
January 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
(2 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
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

January 17, 2017

Incident Code

CI428

LOCATION

الصديق الثانيه, Mosul, 7 Nisan (April) or Baysan, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that six civilians were killed and eight injured due to Coalition airstrikes on Baysan neighborhood, in the northeast of Mosul. Relatives of the dead later said that eight had in fact died, all from the family of Qasan Abdul Kadir and including four children. According to Yaqein and News of Iraq, the

Summary

First published
January 17, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(4 children)
Civilians reported injured
8
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 1, 2017

Incident Code

CI497

LOCATION

سوق الشعارين, Mosul, Sha'aren market, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that 18 persons were either killed or injured, including children and women, after airstrikes reportedly struck the Sha’aren market and mills area in western Mosul. Iraq News reported “the deaths of four people and the injuring of 14 others including women and children, following an aerial bombardment on the Sha’aren market and

Summary

First published
March 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
14
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 10, 2017

Incident Code

CI529

LOCATION

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq

Local press and residents, as well as al-Amaq (ISIL) press sources, said that Coalition shelling had targeted several neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul, especially near apartments in Al-Yarmouk neighbourhood, with munitions equipped with controversial White Phosphorus. No civilian casualties were reported. Iraqi Spring posted a video on Facebook of al-Amaq agency [ISIL], showing

Summary

First published
March 10, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

CI563

LOCATION

حي الفاروق, Mosul, New Bab/ Farouq, Nineveh, Iraq

A single source reported that 55 civilians were killed by “military operations” in New Bab and Farouq neighborhoods in the west of Mosul. No further details are currently available.

Summary

First published
March 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
55
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

April 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI628

LOCATION

سحاب, Mosul, al-Saha and al-Sham gate, Nineveh, Iraq

A single local source reported that over thirty civilians, including women and children, were killed in Coalition airstrikes on al-Saha and al-Sham neighbourhoods in West Mosul. Other sources reported that in total 73 civilians were killed and 200 wounded after three days of bombing by the international Coalition and Iraqi forces.

Summary

First published
April 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30
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

April 15, 2017

Incident Code

CI640

LOCATION

ريحانة, Rayhana, Al Anbar, Iraq

Two local sources reported that nine civilians were killed and others injured after Coalition airstrikes allegedly hit Rayhana village near Anah, in Anbar province. The exact number of wounded was not determined. Yaqein placed the village 210 km west of Ramadi.

Summary

First published
April 15, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
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

April 28, 2017

Incident Code

CI672

LOCATION

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq

Several sources reported that seven civilians died and thirteen were wounded as a result of an airstrike – with sources so far not identifying who carried out the strike. Yaqein noted, however, “that the areas in the West of Anbar province have been exposed for days to military operations fought by the Joint Forces and

Summary

First published
April 28, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
13
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

May 11, 2017

Incident Code

CI707

LOCATION

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq

Residents of West Mosul and local press sources reported that a named civilian – Khaled Nafie Hassan – was killed by mortar shelling on his house in Rifai neighbourhood, West Mosul. He used to work as a health worker/ nurse. It is unclear who was responsible for the raids. Moreover, Ahrar Ninawa (local Facebook group)

Summary

First published
May 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 31, 2017

Incident Code

CI741

LOCATION

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili and Shifa, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that more than twenty civilians were killed or injured after air strikes and artillery shelling hit their homes in Zanjili and Shifa neighborhood, in West Mosul. So far all sources blamed Joint Forces – a reference to both Iraqi and Coalition actions. A source had told Alaraby news that “the Iraqi forces

Summary

First published
May 31, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 84
(27 children31 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–103
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

June 21, 2017

Incident Code

CI777

LOCATION

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Four named brothers and other family members were killed in an attack in Old Mosul. News of Iraq named four brothers – Othman, Bakr, Omar and Ali – who it said were killed along with “their entire family” by government shelling. See also incident CI778.

Summary

First published
June 21, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(4 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2017

Incident Code

CI809

LOCATION

القليعات, Al Qaliat, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources reported that despite the recapturing of Mosul by the US-backed Iraqi army, Coalition airstrikes continued to target ISIL positions in Al Qaliat on the outskirts of the city. Ninawa Media Center reported that there were ‘many’ wounded civilians, including women and children, in the area. However, it was not clear airstrikes caused this.

Summary

First published
July 12, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
6
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

September 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI841

LOCATION

Abassi, Kirkuk, Iraq

At least 12 and as many as dozens of civilians were reported killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Abbasi, Huweija in the Tamim province. According to Al-Rafiden the Coalition launched 17 raids on the Huweija area. The Coalition was accused by the outlet of a bombardment on the city, that killed and wounded dozens

Summary

First published
September 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 24
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

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
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 2014

Incident Code

CI018

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

The FBI informed CENTCOM internally on November 21st 2014 that a source had alleged the deaths of “41 Yezidi captive females killed in a strike on a named OBJ IVO [objective in the vicinity of] Mosul.” The closest strike, number 999, was identified by CENTCOM as having taken place some 3.2km from the site of

Summary

First published
November 19, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
41
(41 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2015

Incident Code

CI050

LOCATION

تل كيف‎, Telkaif, Nineveh, Iraq

Eight civilians including three women were claimed by NINA to have been killed in a coalition airstrike on Telkaif, 20km north of Mosul. A dozen militants also reportedly died in the attack.  

Summary

First published
March 9, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 11, 2015

Incident Code

CI083

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

There were fresh claims of Coalition-inflicted civilian casualties at Mosul, with 37 non-combatants alleged killed and injured in airstrikes reportedly aimed at disrupting power supplies to the city. According to NINA, the dawn raid “caused a complete interruption of electricity – and some water pumps stopped in the city.” Some hospitals reportedly lost access to

Summary

First published
July 11, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(3 children7 women)
Civilians reported injured
17
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 29, 2015

Incident Code

CI116

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

At least 20 civilians were reported killed and up to 31 injured after Coalition (or possibly Iraqi) aircraft allegedly hit the Sunni Wafq state religious affairs building adjacent to one of the largest mosques in Mosul. Aircraft reportedly targeted a meeting of senior Islamic State figures at the Waqf site, which has been taken over

Summary

First published
September 29, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20 – 29
(2 children3 women4 men)
Civilians reported injured
16–34
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
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 1, 2015

Incident Code

CI148

LOCATION

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Multiple civilian casualties were claimed in Qayyarah after the Coalition was accused of bombing civilian houses in the town. Face Iraq reported that seven children and an elderly woman died in the event, which it said destroyed six houses in the vicinity of the Khader mosque (which some sources said had also been destroyed). Three

Summary

First published
December 1, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 8
(0–7 children0–1 women)
Civilians reported injured
10
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

January 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI180

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

The Iraqi Spring Media Centre claimed that “Coalition fighters” had struck civilians in north-west Ramadi, killing 13 civilians and injuring a further 18. Particular news described the alleged Coalition strike as ‘retaliatory’ though gave no further details while noting that there was also significant material damage to civilian houses in the area. Responding to a

Summary

First published
January 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
18
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 31, 2016

Incident Code

CI212

LOCATION

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources claimed Coalition aircraft struck the Haswa and Jumeila neighbourhoods in Fallujah at around 9.30pm, hitting civilian homes and causing the deaths of five civilians including two children, and the wounding of seven more civilians. Al Sharqiya published the most detailed report, saying that Coalition aircraft strikes “resulted in the deaths of five people,

Summary

First published
March 31, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2 women1 man)
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, Unknown
Named victims
7 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI276

LOCATION

الموصل, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Four civilians were reported killed and 24 injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Mosul, as the battle for the ISIL-occupied city intensified. No additional details are presently known. See the following report. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in

Summary

First published
August 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
24
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 24, 2016

Incident Code

CI308

LOCATION

طوبزاوة, Tubzawa, Nineveh, Iraq

A local source reported that An adult civilian male killed followed an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Tubzawa. According to a single source, Mr Shihab’s two sons Younis aged 7 and Mustafa aged 2 years old were also severely injured in the incident – and were being treated in the intensive care unit at Irbil

Summary

First published
October 24, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 15, 2016

Incident Code

CI340

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Airport and Gizlani camp, Nineveh, Iraq

In January 2017 the Coalition issued a statement denying responsibility for alleged civilian casualties in Mosul six weeks earlier. Nov. 15, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike, the Coalition noted. A senior official later informed Airwars that the

Summary

First published
November 15, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident