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

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

October 4, 2017

Incident Code

CI863

LOCATION

التنك, Al Qaim, al Tanak, Al Anbar, Iraq

At least one named civilian male was reported killed in the Tanak neighbourhood of al Qaim. While some sources blamed the US-led Coalition, others implied that Iraqi aircraft or artillery might have been responsible. According to his family and local reports, an adult man died as a result of air and/ or artillery strikes on

Summary

First published
October 4, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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, Iraq Government Forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS1697

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians died and nine others were wounded in artillery or air strikes on Hajeen, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Awwad Zayed Hussein al Zayed was killed by Syrian regime artillery shells”. The victim was also named by DE24

Summary

First published
December 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 8, 2014

Incident Code

CI009

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM review identified potential civilian casualties from a Coalition airstrike on an ‘ISIL checkpoint’ west of Ramadi, which appears to have been carried out by Australian aircraft. According to the internal CENTCOM document, “On reviewing WSV [weapon system video] from AUS F18F” – an Australian Super Hornet – “it was apparent that a

Summary

First published
October 8, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 2015

Incident Code

CI117

LOCATION

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq

Local sources said that two civilians were killed and seven wounded after international aircraft struck civilians in Rubeidh Al-Asriya village, in Hawijah district. In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions

Summary

First published
October 2, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
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

CS368

LOCATION

خنيز السلمان, Khaniz al Salman, Raqqa, Syria

The Step News Agency, reported “international coalition planes targeted at noon today, Wednesday 9th of November, the village of Khaniz in the northern Raqqa countryside. There’s news about civilian casualties and a new massacre.” Step went on to add that “coalition aircraft also launched an air raid targeting the IS security perimeter in the city

Summary

First published
November 9, 2016
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

January 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI398

LOCATION

حي سومر, Mosul, Sumer, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said civilians were killed and injured after Coalition Apache helicopters targeted a market in Sumer neighborhood, southeast of Mosul, with machine guns. On the same day, a young man named as Mostafa al Lahibi was reported killed by unspecified shells in the same neighbourhood.

Summary

First published
January 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
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

January 12, 2017

Incident Code

CS442 RS1829

LOCATION

شارع تل أبيض, Tal abyad Street, Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians were killed – including a girl and a man – and others were wounded, following an airstrike on a bakery and a falafel restaurant in Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame, some blaming the US led Coalition, and others blaming Russian warplanes. The Coalition later denied

Summary

First published
January 12, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 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, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS537

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Al Fardous/ paradise area, Raqqa, Syria

Two civilians died and 12 others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to a single source, Smart news agency. Smart reported: “According to local sources the raids targeted the automated bakery at al Ferdos in the Paradise neighbourhood and Saif al Dawla street. Medical sources said that the raids resulted in

Summary

First published
February 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

March 23, 2017

Incident Code

CS611

LOCATION

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Buwaitiya, Raqqa, Syria

One woman and her child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hamra Boueitiya village in the eastern Raqqa countryside, according to local sources. According to Arabs Today, “a woman and her child were killed and a civilian was wounded on Thursday after an aerial bombardment by the international coalition on villages in the eastern

Summary

First published
March 23, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS780

LOCATION

حي الوهب, Tabaqah, Al Wahab (First Neighbourhood), Raqqa, Syria

According to the Smart News Network two civilians died and seven were injured – in addition to the death of one member of IS and the wounding of two more – in an alleged Coalition airstrike or artillery strike on Tabaqa. Other reports gave some context, with RFS noting that “Syrian Democratic Forces managed to

Summary

First published
May 8, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
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

June 5, 2017

Incident Code

CS923

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A single source, the Violations Documentation Center, reported that an adult male and his wife were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

First published
June 5, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
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 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1137 RS2313a

LOCATION

المجاوده, Majawdeh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one civilian was killed and a number of others were injured following airstrikes on Majawdeh, roughly 85km southeast of Deir Ezzor. However responsibility was contested. The victim was identified by a number of sources, which also reported that his wife and daughter were injured. The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that the wife

Summary

First published
July 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military
Named victims
1 named
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

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

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

March 11, 2019

Incident Code

CS1907

LOCATION

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A number of ISIS family members were reportedly killed and injured, following air and artillery strikes on the Daesh stronghold, Al Baghouz camp. Sources blamed both the US-led Coalition and the SDF. Deir Ezzor 24 for example reported: “Killing and injuring a number of the families of # Da’ash who preferred to stay in the

Summary

First published
March 11, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2016

Incident Code

CS178

LOCATION

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al Hassakah, Syria

The Hassakah Youth Movement was among a number of sources reporting civilians killed by the Coalition at Al Markada, saying Coalition aircraft had struck a medical facility: “News in regarding people martyred following international Coalition bombing of the hospital in Markada.” In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they

Summary

First published
February 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

August 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS295

LOCATION

غرة صغير, Ghirra Sgheer, Aleppo, Syria

Two civilian brothers were killed in the village of Ghirra Sgheer south of Manbij. While most reports blamed a mine explosion, some sources claimed the deaths were caused by a Coalition strike. Manbij Mother of All The World and Aleppo 24 both blamed a mine on the deaths. Retreating ISIL forces had littered villages and towns

Summary

First published
August 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
3
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

January 16, 2017

Incident Code

CI427

LOCATION

Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq

Local sources said that many civilians were killed or injured in Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces, in neigbourhoods at the left side of Mosul. The Iraqi Spring Media Center had tracked the bombings “from dawn until now” and said the raids targeted residential neighbourhoods. It said that hundreds of civilians were fleeing.

Summary

First published
January 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

February 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS542

LOCATION

كسرة الفرج, Kasrat Faraj, Raqqa, Syria

A single source, the Smart news network, reported the death of two civilians in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Kasra Faraj. According to Smart’s source, “two people were killed when the international coalition aircraft targeted a medicine depot belonging to the Islamic State in the southern countryside of Raqqa, north-eastern Syria. The

Summary

First published
February 28, 2017
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

April 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS690

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria

Two men were killed when an alleged Coalition airstrike hit their motorcycle in Tabaqa, according to local sources. @Mohab_Naser reported that the incident occurred “on the main street south of the church roundabout”. The combatant status of the victims was not made clear in any of the reports.

Summary

First published
April 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
(2 men)
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

May 13, 2017

Incident Code

CS812

LOCATION

السحل, Al Sahel, Raqqa, Syria

One or two civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al-Sahel, according to local media. Baladi, Syrianpc and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights all blamed the Coalition for the death of one non-combatant. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered named a victim as Ahmad Mustafa Al-Haji Al-Hamid but didn’t say who was responsible for his

Summary

First published
May 13, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS986

LOCATION

المركز الثقافي, behind cultural center, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that an unspecified number of civilians died in shelling on the area behind the cultural centre in Raqqa. Baladi referred to “heavy artillery shelling”, but was among other sources who didn’t identify the culprit. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed the SDF. However, the Coalition has informed Airwars that only it was

Summary

First published
June 14, 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

June 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1017

LOCATION

حارة البدو, Al Badou, Raqqa, Syria

Two women were killed and several others were injured in the Al Badu neighbourhood of Raqqa, allegedly caused by SDF mortars or supporting Coalition airstrikes. Several sources reported that seven people were wounded in the raid. However Madar News reported that at least 10 people were wounded. Eleven of 14 sources reported that the US-backed

Summary

First published
June 17, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 women)
Civilians reported injured
7–10
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, Syrian Democratic Forces
View Incident

Incident date

January 30, 2019

Incident Code

CS1894

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to several local sources, the “American coalition” bombed the town of Al-Baghouz with several airstrikes, killing two civilians and causing significant material damage. No additional details are known at this time. In its January 2021 monthly civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition determined this event to be ‘non credible’, asserting: “The allegation provided insufficient detail

Summary

First published
January 30, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

January 22, 2015

Incident Code

CI030

LOCATION

خزيمة, Aski Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

An internal CENTCOM report identified concerns of civilian fatalities raised by local Nineveh MP Abd al Rahman al-Luwayzi. According to the MP, “Arab families, fleeing the area of Aski Musil were targeted by coalition aircraft, killing or wounding ‘scores of civilians.” The town is situated on the banks of the Tigris River to the north

Summary

First published
January 22, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

May 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS213

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians near as Shadadi. Their December 2016 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike on seven ISIL fighters in a moving vehicle, it was assessed that two civilians were inadvertently killed. One civilian passenger in the vehicle was killed

Summary

First published
May 16, 2016
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