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

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS432

LOCATION

السوا, Sawa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between five and 40 civilians reportedly died following a Coalition airstrike at al Sa’wa, according to local sources. The Coalition later confirmed killing just two civilians. According to Step News, “international coalition planes targeted last night oil terminal wells near the town of Al Sa’awa in the western countryside with dozens of air strikes, killing

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 40
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS957

LOCATION

سيف الدولة, 23rd February road, Raqqa, Syria

Five civilians including four from the same family died and several more were injured in what appears to have been an artillery bombardment, according to local sources. Multiple reports said that the Thalji building on 23 February Street was hit by shells. Most sources referred to “shelling” and “artillery” but didn’t name the culprit. While

Summary

First published
June 10, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(3 children1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS968

LOCATION

نهر الفرات، الرقة, Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria

Up to four civilians died when their boat was struck by the Coalition as they attempted to flee Raqqa, local media said. In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh barge. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed and 10

Summary

First published
June 12, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 woman3 men)
Civilians reported injured
10
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS1083

LOCATION

بقرص تحتاني, Bokrus Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A mother and her daughter were killed and seven others were injured in airstrikes in Bokrus Tahtani in eastern Deir Ezzor, local sources reported, but it was contested who was responsible. The victims were identified as a 34-year-old woman, who is the wife of Mohammed Abdullah al Kardoush, and their 16-year-old daughter. The couple is

Summary

First published
June 25, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 31, 2018

Incident Code

CS1756

LOCATION

باغوز فوقاني, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to local sources, Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling on the town of Al Baghouz led to the deaths of up to nine civilians, including two or three children. Coalition officials indicated to Airwars that it is likely that this incident matches one of the following concession of civilian harm. In their February 2019 press

Summary

First published
May 31, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 9
(3 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
10 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS296

LOCATION

لقطة, La'ata, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilian males were killed in Coalition strikes at La’ata. The US later admitted responsibility, noting: “Near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that two civilians were killed.” According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, dawn air raids targeted four houses in the village: “These homes were expropriated by Daesh

Summary

First published
August 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1006

LOCATION

مدرسة خالد بن وليد, Ar Raqqah: Near Khaled Bin Waled school, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians during a day of heavy air and artillery fire on Raqqa. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS mortar position, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed by secondary explosions.”

Summary

First published
June 15, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1201

LOCATION

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

Nine civilians including seven children and two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hisham bin Abdul Malik, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network said that the strike happened near the Al-Mari’ Bakery, while RFS reported that the bakery itself was struck. All sources blamed the Coalition, with Sharqiya Voice referring specifically

Summary

First published
July 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(7 children2 women)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS827

LOCATION

الماكف, Al Makef, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on the Al Makef area of Raqqa, according to local sources. The Coalition later confirmed responsibility for the deaths. In July 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in this strike: “During a strike on Daesh fighting positions and supply routes, two civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Summary

First published
May 15, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS1353

LOCATION

Hurriyah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians. In January 2018, their monthly civilian casualty report noted “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently crossed into the area of

Summary

First published
August 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

July 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1279

LOCATION

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between nine and 11 civilians – many from the same family- died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes on Abu Kamal, local media reported. While most reports pointed towards the US-led Coalition, a number did not identify the warplanes responsible, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it was unclear whether the

Summary

First published
July 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 11
(1–5 children1–2 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–25
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
9 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 16, 2018

Incident Code

CS1780

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to thirteen civilians were allegedly killed when Coalition aircraft struck two or more houses in al Soussa, local sources reported. In September 2019, the Coalition’s monthly civilian casualty report noted: “In Deir ez-Zor, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh explosive factory. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed as a

Summary

First published
July 16, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 13
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
11 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS426

LOCATION

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria

A reported unilateral US airstrike targeted and possibly killed Sheikh Yones Shoaib, aka Abu Hassan Taftanaz – a key leader of Fatah al-Sham. However his 15-year old son Hasan Younes Shoeaib also reportedly died, along with at least one other relative. The Syrian Observatory later questioned whether Sheikh Yones Shoaib in fact died. In June

Summary

First published
January 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known targets
Al Qaeda/HTS, ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 10, 2016

Incident Code

CS256

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Five civilians were reported killed in Coalition strikes, including a woman and child. The US later admitted to two deaths in the attack, noting: “Manbij, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that two civilians were killed.” As Shaam News reported, “activists stressed that Syria democratic forces and elements of the

Summary

First published
July 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child1 woman3 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Incident Code

CS383

LOCATION

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Raqqa, Syria

A dawn Coalition airstrike on the village of al Salhiyeh killed at least nine civilians – most from one family. The Coalition has since admitted two civilian deaths in the attack. ISIL’s media wing said the target of the raid was a cotton factory in the village, where three workers also died. Ara News cited

Summary

First published
November 21, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9 – 10
(2–3 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
13
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 20, 2018

Incident Code

CS1875

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A number of civilians, including women and children, were reported killed and wounded by an alleged Coalition airstrike on a “civilian house” in the town of Al-Shaafa on the morning of December 20th. The Coalition later admitted that two civilians were killed in the incident in Al-Shaafa. According to sources on the ground, between 6

Summary

First published
December 20, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 24
(4 children1–2 women1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

May 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS809

LOCATION

Khirbat Farms, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an airstrike near the hamlets of Khirbat farms and Ruhayyat in Raqqa province. Their August 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians,

Summary

First published
May 12, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1645 RS2645

LOCATION

Abu Kamal, Al Masriya roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between eight and nine civilians died in an airstrike on the al Masriya roundabout in Abu Kamal, according to local media – though sources at the time were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia was responsible. In September 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted:

Summary

First published
October 17, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 9
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 5, 2019

Incident Code

CS1883a

LOCATION

المرشدة, Marishidah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an event previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians and the injury of another near Marishidah, Syria. This was later declared to be a US-only civilian harm event. In its July 2019 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted the following: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against

Summary

First published
January 5, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

November 6, 2014

Incident Code

CS019

LOCATION

حارم, Harim, Idlib, Syria

Six months after US air raids had targeted the Khorasan Group (part of the al-Nusra Front) and the militant group Ahrar al-Sham, the Coalition conceded that two children had “likely” died in the attack – the first public concession of any civilian deaths after 4,000 airstrikes against ISIS over nine months. The November 5th US-only

Summary

First published
November 6, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2–6 children)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1370

LOCATION

الرقة‎, near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an event near Raqqa. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: “During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed.” Airwars had

Summary

First published
August 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 1, 2018

Incident Code

CS1733a

LOCATION

Near al Shaafah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an event previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in its monthly civilian casualty report for September 2019 (published November 16th) that it had killed a civilian during an airstrike at Al Shaafah. The Pentagon later declared this to be a US action. According to the OIR report, “March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah,

Summary

First published
March 1, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

May 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS789

LOCATION

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria

A child died and up to eight others were killed or wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mansoura village, according to local media. The alliance later accepted responsibility for one death. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said an air raid “targeted the house of Mahmoud al Yatim” killing a child. The source didn’t say

Summary

First published
May 9, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 7
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1317

LOCATION

الطب الحديث, Al Toubb al Hadith, Raqqa, Syria

Six people; two women, two children and two men were killed when the building they were sheltering in was hit in an airstrike in Al Toubb al Hadith, Raqqa, a joint Amnesty International/Airwars report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” found after conducting field research on the ground. Additionally, several local sources echoed the death

Summary

First published
August 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(2 children2 women2 men)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS293

LOCATION

ذيبان‬, Ziban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Coalition airstrikes on ‘ISIL oil tankers’ reportedly resulted in the death of a civilian driver and the injuring of others. In September 2020, the Coalition admitted that a strike had been conducted on August 11th 2016 against Daesh equipment, killing one civilian and injuring at least one other. According to the Syrian Observatory, “Coalition warplanes

Summary

First published
August 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
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

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS431

LOCATION

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

As many as 19 civilians died following reported Coalition airstrikes on an oil market in central Khisham. The Euphrates Post initially reported six civilian deaths though later raised this to 14 civilians killed: “Coalition aircraft targeted the oil market in the town today with several raids. The first raid – at dawn – did not

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 19
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

February 25, 2017

Incident Code

CS536

LOCATION

Desert road SW of Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition reported that one civilian died near Raqqa. In its June 2017 casualty report it said: “During a strike on ISIS oil tankers, after warning shots were fired to dislodged drivers from the vehicles, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars

Summary

First published
February 25, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS931

LOCATION

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An adult male, also an agricultural worker, was named as a victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Mahkan town by local media. Sources said that he died from wounds sustained in the strike. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in a report on June 11th, “an agriculture engineer died from injuries he

Summary

First published
June 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1689

LOCATION

البرهوم, al Burham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In its July 26th, 2018 civilian casualty statement, the Coalition self-reported an incident of civilian harm on the banks of the Euphrates river, near the crossing between the villages of Al Burham ( البرهوم ) and Abu Hasan ( أبو حسن ). The report noted: “December 1, 2017, near al Burham, Syria, via self-report. During

Summary

First published
December 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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 17, 2016

Incident Code

CS342

LOCATION

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

During an airstrike on a vehicle in Idlib the Coalition killed one man and reportedly injured four more civilians. The Coalition later admitted responsibility for the one death. According to Step News, “One person was dead and 4 civilians wounded in a car explosion in the city of Idlib after it was targeted by an

Summary

First published
October 17, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident