US-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

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

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

Incident date

December 21, 2014

Incident Code

CS035

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Three civilian men were reported killed in an event near the town of Al Bab, after a US aircraft dropped a 500lb bomb on a fleeing ISIL suspect. They were later named by the VDC and Syrian Martyrs. Social media also reported civilian deaths, with one tweet noting: “At least two civilians martyred in the

Summary

First published
December 21, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2 children3 men)
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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 19, 2015

Incident Code

CS068

LOCATION

تل مجدل, Tal Majdal, Al Hassakah, Syria

An alleged 10am Coalition targeted strike on a vehicle carrying ISIL militants (including prominent Egyptian Abu Abdul Rahman) also killed three nearby civilians, according to SN4HR. However another source described the attack as being carried out by a booby-trapped motorbike. One victim was identified as the owner of a generator repair shop in the marketplace where

Summary

First published
May 19, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(2–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Unknown
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2015

Incident Code

CS100

LOCATION

مزرعة الأسدية, Al Assadiyah near Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A boy named as Amjad Mohammed was reportedly killed along with eleven alleged Daesh militants, in a fresh coalition airstrike on the outskirts of Ar Raqaa. According to SOHR, the child may have belonged to ‘Cubs of the Caliphate’ – an Islamic State indoctrination unit for young children in the city. One report claimed he

Summary

First published
July 12, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Incident Code

CS135

LOCATION

جبل عبدالعزيز, Abdulaziz Mt, Al Hassakah, Syria

A single source listed an adult male non-combatant as a victim of Coalition action. According to VDC, Ahmad Nayef Al Hamad was from Baseera in Dayr ez Zawr, and was killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Abdulaziz mountain in Al Hassaka. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that

Summary

First published
October 8, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CS179

LOCATION

الدشيشة, Dashisha, Al Hassakah, Syria

Two civilian brothers named as Farhan and Adnan Ali Khodar were reported killed after their motorbike was struck in an alleged Coalition airstrike. According to the Damascus Center, the two brothers were buried together. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this

Summary

First published
February 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 27, 2016

Incident Code

CS217

LOCATION

كلجبرين, Kaljibrin, Aleppo, Syria

A fierce battle for the town of Kaljibrin left up to 39 civilians dead – with both Daesh and the Coalition blamed for the fatalities. So-called Islamic State launched a major assault on Kaljibrin, later releasing a video in which it boasted of capturing weapons there. However Coaltion aircraft then reportedly struck at Daesh forces

Summary

First published
May 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
28 – 65
(18–21 children4 women6 men)
Civilians reported injured
12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
28 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 9, 2016

Incident Code

CS253

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Four civilians were reported killed and 15 injured in multiple Coalition strikes on Manbij, according to local reports. In a separate incident, 17-year old Zaki al Mohammad died when the Aleppo Road [or Al Hajj Street] bridge was destroyed. Lens Young Manbij also reported that “yesterday on Saturday one of the doctors at the general

Summary

First published
July 9, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
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
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Incident Code

CS324

LOCATION

Subha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

The Coalition denied that it had killed or injured civilians near Deir ez Zawr on October 1st, despite local claims. According to reports, multiple bridges were targeted in Coalition strikes on October 1st, with Step News reporting that “Coalition warplanes destroyed a number of bridges including Al-Abbas bridge in Abu Kamal, and Al-Nawam.” Other reports

Summary

First published
October 1, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Incident Code

CS356

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Maraat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Airstrikes variously blamed on the Coalition, on Russia and on the Assad regime targeted Fatah al Sham positions in Maarat Mislin, reportedly also killing four civilians and injuring at least two more. Initial reports – which said the town was struck three times – claimed either Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. The Syrian

Summary

First published
November 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2–10
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

November 23, 2016

Incident Code

CS390

LOCATION

قرية مراط, Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In confused reporting, both Russia and the Coalition were blamed for the deaths of between 4 and 5 civilians at Marat (see also the next report.) According to Euphrates Post (which like all sources did not attribute responsibility) the home of Thabet al Darwish was targeted by warplanes killing five family members: “two women and

Summary

First published
November 23, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–3 children1–2 women)
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, Russian Military
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS424

LOCATION

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Targeted air or drone strikes – most likely unilateral US actions – reportedly killed two high ranking militants along with a number of fighters. However sources also claimed there were civilian casualties. There were two reported evening attacks. In the first, a car was destroyed on the Sarmada-Bab al Hawa road, killing four people inside.

Summary

First published
January 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS461

LOCATION

هنيدة, Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria

Three civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike near Hunaida. According to the Syrian Observatory, “Explosions were heard in the western countryside of Al-Raqqah city, caused by bombing by warplanes believed to belong to the international coalition on an oil refinery area in Hunaida area at the countryside of al-Tabaqa, which injured several

Summary

First published
January 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
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

February 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS494

LOCATION

طريق بلدة الكرامة, Al Karama Road, Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported the deaths of two civilian truck drivers in a Coalition airstrike. According to Smart News “Two people were killed on Wednesday, in raids by international coalition aircraft on the eastern countryside of Raqqa… Sources said that international coalition aircraft targeted two trucks being used to transport oil, loaded with more than

Summary

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

Incident date

February 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS529

LOCATION

البارودة, Al Barouda, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians died and nine were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Barouda village in the western Raqqa countryside, according to two local sources. Smart said that the wounded included women and children. Smart’s source added that the warplanes “targeted the village despite there being no military headquarters for the organization [ISIL] there”.

Summary

First published
February 23, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
7–9
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 9, 2017

Incident Code

CI525 CS562

LOCATION

السنجك, Sanjak, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local sources said that an airstrike targeted ISIL members on the Iraq-Syria border, which also resulted in the death of a civilian woman. Unusually, the incident was attributed to both sides of the border. Geolocation by Airwars volunteer Christiaan Triebert (see map below) has concluded that they are almost certainly the same incident. On the

Summary

First published
March 9, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
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 20, 2017

Incident Code

CS594

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Al A’rid street, Raqqa, Syria

Three civilians died and up to 20 were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Tabaqa, according to local sources, in the second of three reported incident in the city that day. Reporters Talk and Q_Alenzy said that 12 civilians were wounded by “American warplanes”, while according to Qasioun 20 people were injured in Coalition

Summary

First published
March 20, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
12–20
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 4, 2017

Incident Code

CS661

LOCATION

سلحبية, Salhabiya, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, two civilian fishermen were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a ferry between the two banks of the Euphrates River in the western village of Al-Sahlabiya. Local sources told Smart that the victims were killed as they were transporting cars between the two banks. Step News Agency also

Summary

First published
April 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS694

LOCATION

مزرعة يعرب, Mazra'at Yarub, Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians from the same family died and two others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit homes in the village of Mazra’at Yarub, according to local sources which all blamed the Coalition. According to Smart News, “Five civilians from one family were killed in most likely coalition air strike on a village

Summary

First published
April 15, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
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 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS728

LOCATION

حي الثكنة, al Thakanna, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Agency, “a local source said that aircraft of the International Coalition, launched a raid on an ISIL car in al Thakana neighborhood in the city of Raqqa, which led to the death of one of the latter [ISIL member], and a child and wounding five civilians who were next to

Summary

First published
April 25, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS760

LOCATION

البحرة, Al Bahra desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Sharqiya Voice reported that “Abu Al Zabir al Maghribi, responsible for buying weapons from the locals in what is called al Furat State, was killed along with seven other people after they were targeted by the International Coalition in a raid on Al Bahra desert in eastern Deir Ezzor countryside.” No further details are currently

Summary

First published
May 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS793

LOCATION

شنينة, Shanina, Raqqa, Syria

Four civilians including two children and one woman were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes at Shanina village, north of Raqqa city. Among the dead were one woman and two children, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the names of civilians killed. All three sources alleged the

Summary

First published
May 10, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
4
(2 children1 woman)
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

May 24, 2017

Incident Code

CS859

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah - Deir ez-Zor road, Raqqa, Syria

A single source, the Euphrates Post, reported that “international coalition planes targeted a civilian car on al Shuweit -al Duweir road yesterday killing the driver instantly. He was displaced from the city of Deir Ezzor.” No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
May 24, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS891

LOCATION

معدان, Al Suweidiya, Raqqa, Syria

Between four and five civilians including one woman and three or four children died – and ten other civilians were wounded – in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Suweidiya, east of Ma’adan according to local media. All sources attributed the event to the Coalition. According to Alaraby, there were two strikes: the first hitting “the

Summary

First published
May 30, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(1–4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
10
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

June 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS924

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

On August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of possible civilian harm. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “June 5, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via media report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this

Summary

First published
June 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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

June 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS959

LOCATION

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A six-year-old girl, Raghad Badi’ al Suleiman, died of a heart attack after she heard the sound of warplanes circling the sky in Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, multiple local sources reported. While reports didn’t identify who the planes belonged to, the Coalition was said to have conducted heavy raids on the city that day. According to

Summary

First published
June 10, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS995

LOCATION

جامع الصفا, Dar’iya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

Initially this incident was reported on by several sources as an alleged airstrike or artillery shelling in the Dar’iya neighbourhood in the city of Raqqa, in which 1 or 2 cilivilians died. During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org), Amnesty field

Summary

First published
June 15, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child3 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
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1029

LOCATION

العلوه, Al Alwa, Al Hassakah, Syria

Five civilians, including three children, were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on al Awla village, also known as Jalal, 25km southeast of Ash Shaddadi. Hasakh News identified five victims; two men in their 50s, and three children of one of the men – two girls and one boy. All six sources who reported on the

Summary

First published
June 18, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(3 children)
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
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS1063

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A named adult civilian male was reported as a victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) published an image of the victim with a beard. Taha Mossa Al-Hamza – who claimed to be a relative of the victim – left a comment on the

Summary

First published
June 23, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1095

LOCATION

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Following an earlier bombing of an ISIL prison in Al Mayadin which allegedly killed upwards of 40 people, Coalition aircraft allegedly targeted a nearby site after bodies of the deceased were laid out for families to identify them. No further civilian casualties were reported, however sources said that the ultimate death toll from both incidents

Summary

First published
June 26, 2017
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

June 30, 2017

Incident Code

CS1127

LOCATION

ابو حمام, Abu Hammam, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three civilians were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Abu Hammam in Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. All five sources which reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

Summary

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