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 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1282a

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Seven civilians died in air or artillery or mortar shelling of Raqqa, according to local media – though it was unclear who was responsible for their deaths. However, Hasaka Rasd also reported that mortars fell on Raqqa neighbourhoods on this day, meaning that these deaths may have been caused by SDF actions, for although Airwars

Summary

First published
July 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 child1 woman)
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
Named victims
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1161

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah: multiple locations, Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians were killed and 14 more were injured, including women and children, in alleged Coalition air and/or artillery strikes on the Old Raqqa, Al Nahda and al Yarmouk neighbourhoods of Raqqa, local sources reported. According to Smart News, “One of the sources said that warplanes likely to be the coalition, bombed neighborhoods of the

Summary

First published
July 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 6
Civilians reported injured
14
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 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS1187

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Twenty civilians, including women and children, were killed and 30 more were injured in a series of alleged Coalition airstrikes on Abu Kamal in eastern Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Multiple sources blamed the Coalition, putting death counts at either four or five non-combatants. Euphrates Post also reported that the first strikes at 11am hit

Summary

First published
July 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
(1–2 children2–4 women3 men)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
20 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1213

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Al Hal market, Raqqa, Syria

Between seven and 12 members of the Salah Al-Mana family were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, all of whom were reportedly civilians. Syrian Network for Human Rights added that the victims were IDP’s from Mehaimda village in Deir Ez-Zour and were killed by missiles fired on Raqqa city. Local sources identified seven

Summary

First published
July 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 12
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
9 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 21, 2017

Incident Code

CS1247

LOCATION

قصر البنات, Ar Raqqah: Qasr Al Banat (palace), Raqqa, Syria

Baladi reported that eight civilians including three children and their parents were killed in artillery shelling by the “Quds militia” which reportedly targeted their homes in Qaser Al-Banat. Airwars understand that only the Coalition is using artillery in Raqqa.

Summary

First published
July 21, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(3 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
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

August 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1334

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

An adult male civilian was reported killed by multiple local sources. The cause of death was somewhat conflicted. Seven of the eleven sources attribute the attack to a landmine, whilst others cited the use of artillery. Airwars understands that only the US-led Coalition have access to artillery in Raqqa. In a post from Ar Raqqa

Summary

First published
August 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 19, 2017

Incident Code

CI830

LOCATION

Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq

As many as 300 civilians were allegedly killed and injured in Tal Afar over three days of shelling. Information on the number of lives lost was retrieved from local medical sources, who said mostly women and children were killed and wounded. According to JBC – which said that 300 civilians were killed across two days

Summary

First published
August 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
150 – 300
Civilians reported injured
150–300
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

August 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1418

LOCATION

The National Hospital, Raqqa, Syria

Sources initially reported three people were killed following alleged US-led Coalition air strikes on The National (Al Watani) Hospital in Raqqa. Subsequent reports identified nine victims. Mohammad Jom’a al Taha (b. 1951), an agricultural engineer, and two of his sons, were killed in the offensive. According to sources the family was displaced people from Deir

Summary

First published
August 25, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(2 children1 woman2 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
8 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1446

LOCATION

Al Naim roundabout, Raqqa, Syria

Between 12 and 14 people, including women and children, reportedly died in suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City’s Naim roundabout area. According to local reports, the Coalition targeted downtown Raqqa close to the al Naim roundabout where civilians were present, reportedly injuring “dozens” in addition those killed. Wagea news said “International Alliance aircraft” was

Summary

First published
September 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 14
(2 children4 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

September 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS1472

LOCATION

Al Dasheisha, Al Hassakah, Syria

Three civilians were reported “seriously wounded” following an “aerial bombardment” by the US-led Coalition, local sources alleged. The raid reportedly took place at Al Dashisha village 35km southeast of al Shaddadi. According to Baladi, “shelling that targeted the village, caused the destruction of shops” and “other rockets targets the warehouses of grain causing an outbreak

Summary

First published
September 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
View Incident

Incident date

September 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1501

LOCATION

Abu Kamal, Al Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Nine houses were allegedly targeted in airstrikes on al Sukkariya village, according to multiple local sources, @albokalnews suspected this indicated “dozens of civilian martyrs”. However reporting was confused with another alleged incident at al Baghouz (S1329) with no breakdown of casualties. Fresh Syria named the US-led Coalition as the culprit, and asserted that an unknown

Summary

First published
September 17, 2017
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

September 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1526

LOCATION

Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, Raqqa24 and the Shaam News Netowork, a number of civilians were killed and wounded when they were hit with artillery shells as they gathered to collect water in Raqqah’s al Badou neighbourhood. Athr Press attributed the event to ground forces, saying that “four civilians were killed and others

Summary

First published
September 25, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
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, Syrian Democratic Forces, ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

September 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1552

LOCATION

Al Zubari, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian died and at least three were injured in airstrikes on Al Zubari, according to local media – though it was unclear who carried out the attack. Most sources didn’t apportion blame, though one said that Russia had bombed the town. According to the Smart News Agency, “a civilian was killed and others were

Summary

First published
September 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–10
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, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1586

LOCATION

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One person died in an aerial offensive that targeted the river crossing in al Mayadeen, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. News of the civilian casualty came amid numerous reports of Russian actions in the area, @m_eelwahed described “Russian raids” with phosphorous which led to the outbreak of fires in several neighbourhoods of the

Summary

First published
October 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident date

October 10, 2017

Incident Code

CI868

LOCATION

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq

In December 2017, the Coalition reported having unintentionally killed a civilian in an event previously unreported by Airwars. It stated: “Oct. 10, 2017 near Al Qaim, Iraq via self-report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed a building being used as an ISIS headquarters it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when they inadvertently

Summary

First published
October 10, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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

October 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1647

LOCATION

البصيرة, Al Busayrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians died in al Busayrah, according to local media – though it was unclear who was responsible. The majority of sources, however, attributed the event to Moscow. Euphrates Post reported by name the death of one civilian male as a result of airstrikes targeted the al Busayrah. RFS Media Office blamed Russia, reporting that

Summary

First published
October 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 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, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1676

LOCATION

ابو حمام, Abu Haman, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to the Euphrates Post, the Syrian Democratic Forces carried out an artillery bombardment on Abu Hamam. It said that there had been civilian casualties but didn’t specify a number. Al Qouriya Media Center provided some more detail. It reported that “artillery shelling targeted a family from al-Qouriya, the family of Hussein al-Ali al-Sayer al-Hamad.

Summary

First published
November 18, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 4
Civilians reported injured
2–13
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, Syrian Democratic Forces
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2018

Incident Code

CS1739

LOCATION

.السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source reported on the shelling of Al Soussa on March 8th, which allegedly resulted in “a number of civilian casualties”. According to 7al, the same shelling that targeted Hajin had also struck al Soussa in the countryside of Abu Kamal, killing or injuring a number of civilians. The site noted the following: “The

Summary

First published
March 8, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 2018

Incident Code

CS1769

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to local sources, up to four civilians, including women and children, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Baghouz Foqani. Step News Agency reported that two women and one girl were killed and another person injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights however stated that in fact two children and one woman

Summary

First published
June 13, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1–3 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
6–13
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, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Incident Code

RS1269 CS314

LOCATION

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

Up to five civilians reportedly died in an air raid on Maskanah which most sources said involved cluster munitions. Egypt Today put the death toll at five, “including a woman and her two daughters and her child”. Reportedly, the strikes injured up to 12 civilians, including six children. While most reports blamed Russia, Baladi News claimed

Summary

First published
September 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–2 children1–2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
15 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2018

Incident Code

CS1823

LOCATION

الشعفة و, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Multiple local sources named three children as killed and “many” more civilians wounded in an alleged Coalition air or artillery strike on Al Shaafa on November 3, 2018. Some sources reported that the airstrike targeted a house in a residential neighbourhood. Euphrates Post for example reported: “The killing of three children, the children of Imad

Summary

First published
November 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 24, 2018

Incident Code

CS1857

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin , Deir Ezzor, Syria

A named male civilian was reported killed in a confirmed Coalition air or artillery strike on Hijan when it struck his home. All sources blamed the Coalition for the event. Some sources reported that the incident was on November 24th and others on the 25th. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the Coalition

Summary

First published
November 24, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2019

Incident Code

CS1892

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source reported that a named child originally from the city of Mohsen, and named as Omar Basim al-Aliwi, died from wounds sustained “several days ago” in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Baghouz. Airwars has therefore placed the date range of this reported event as January 24th-26th. No other details are

Summary

First published
January 24, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1425b

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Boulil, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that a Coalition airstrike struck an ISIS vehicle, killing two young men who had previously been arrested and forced to join ISIS. Two members of ISIS guarding them were also killed in the attack. The source reported that increasing numbers of young men were forcibly

Summary

First published
August 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Incident Code

RS354 CS164

LOCATION

عين عيسى, `Ayn `Isa, Raqqa, Syria

A strike by aircraft reportedly killed five civilians. Syria News attributed the attack to Russia, while Ara News said it was a Coalition action. VDC – which attributed the attack to the regime – named five victims. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian

Summary

First published
January 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 children1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS1163a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

In the Amnesty and Airwars’ joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality”, 11 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as “weak”, researchers have assessed this incident “fair” due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The report by Amnesty/Airwars stated that

Summary

First published
July 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(4 children1 woman2 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
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 28, 2014

Incident Code

CS007

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

The US (possibly with Jordan and/or the UAE) bombed grain silos near Manjib. While CENTCOM insisted that the grain facilities were occupied by Islamic State forces, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that only civilians – workers at the silos – had been killed, although militants were also wounded. According to the Syrian

Summary

First published
September 28, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 4, 2019

Incident Code

CS1930

LOCATION

بين معيزيلة و مراط‎, Between Mu'ayzila and Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The child Ali al-Ahmad was alleged killed at dawn during a landing operation carried out by the International Coalition. According to Shaam News, “a coalition landing operation with the SDF [targeted] a civilian home between the towns of Mu’ayzila and the village of Marat on the old road between Deir al-Zour and al-Hasakeh governorates.” Local

Summary

First published
September 4, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Cause of injury / death
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2014

Incident Code

CS030

LOCATION

Deir Ez Zor Oil Collection Point, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An internal Coalition report noted that civilians may have been killed near an oil collection point in Deir Ez Zor. The Coalition assessed the incident as non-credible: “Open source video indicated that three civilians were killed in a deliberate strike on an oil collection point in DeZ. 13 Nov 2014: Review could not determine that

Summary

First published
November 13, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident