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

September 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1435

LOCATION

Al Shmeitiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On September 1, 2017, up to seven civilians died in an airstrike on Al Shmeitiya, according to local media. While most sources didn’t identify the belligerent, two reports attributed the event to Russia. In three sequential reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted the deaths of between two and four civilians following airstrikes on

Summary

First published
September 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 7
(1 woman2 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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2017

Incident Code

CS1467

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

An entire family of up to six people died in alleged airstrikes on Raqqa city. The family were originally displaced from Deir Ezzor, and died as a result of “aerial and artillery bombardment”, according to local sources.

Summary

First published
September 10, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 woman1 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, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 17, 2017

Incident Code

CS1500

LOCATION

Abu Kamal, Sena'a neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Eight civilians including an entire family died in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Abu Kamal, local media reported. According to Euphrates Post, “warplanes believed to belong to the international coalition carried out a number of air strikes targeting the town of Abu Kamal and its countryside. The attack targeted the crude oil burners in Al Bagouz

Summary

First published
September 17, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(4 children1–2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
8 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1532

LOCATION

الصور, Al Soor, Safia neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported “a number of civilians were killed” following airstrikes they believed were likely conducted by US-led Coalition aircraft. According to sources, the bombs contained white phosphorous – a chemical weapon sometimes proscribed under international law. Al Mayadeen, a pro-regime news organisation, reported “the attack [allegedly by the Coalition] led to the deaths of

Summary

First published
September 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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 2, 2017

Incident Code

CS1565

LOCATION

التوسعية, Al Tawassiya, Raqqa, Syria

Local sources reported that 16 to 45 people were killed in a mass civilian casualty incident on al Tawassi’ya neighbourhood, Raqqah city. Some reports said that a shelter in the Traffic park area had been struck, while others said two buildings were hit. The lowest overall death toll of “at least 19” came from the

Summary

First published
October 2, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
19 – 45
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 7, 2017

Incident Code

CS1600

LOCATION

الرميلة, Ar Raqqah: Rumaila neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

At least six civilians from one family reportedly died in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Rumaila neighbourhood, Raqqah city. Marsad Al Hasaka named six of the victims and listed the mother of the victims listed belowand another unknown child. Quoting Al-Shibli, Al Fayha reported that “the shelling focused on the “expansionist and Bedouin neighborhoods”

Summary

First published
October 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 11
(1–5 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

September 19, 2017

Incident Code

CS1636

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Up to five civilians, including one child and three women, were reportedly killed by an alleged Coalition strike at some point during the Raqqa Campaign, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report “War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality” reported. The first report was made by RBSS who reported

Summary

First published
September 19, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child3 women1 man)
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 8, 2017

Incident Code

CS1668

LOCATION

حريزة, Harizah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to seven civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Harizah, local media said – though they were unclear whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame. The US-led alliance reported no strikes in Syria that day. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “six civilians died in a bombing on the

Summary

First published
November 8, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(1 man)
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

December 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1700

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between two and four civilians died and several others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajeen, according to local media. Sources said that the strike hit the car which the victims were in. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at two, though most other sources said that three died.

Summary

First published
December 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2018

Incident Code

CS1732

LOCATION

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa: Al-Kashma district, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between 10 and 30 civilians were reported killed and “dozens” injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Sha’afa. Most sources stressed that many of the victims were women and children. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had documented the deaths of 22 civilians, including 9 children and 7 women and stressed that

Summary

First published
February 28, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 30
(2–9 children2–7 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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

June 4, 2018

Incident Code

CS1764

LOCATION

الباغوز الفوقاني, Al Baghouz al Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

According to local sources, four civilians were allegedly killed by a Coalition airstrike targeting the center of the town of al Baghouz Foqani. Both Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor 24 identified two of the people killed as Nader Jassim al-Mardoukh and Hussein Ali al-Mardoukh. In a separate report, Euphrates Post identified the third civilian as

Summary

First published
June 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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
5 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 12, 2018

Incident Code

CS1796

LOCATION

الباغوزالباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that one or more civilians were killed and injured in a bombardment on Al Bagouz. One victim was specifically named. Deir Ezzor 24 and the Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that a named adult civilian male Najem Hassan al-Saleem was killed by ‘SDF artillery shelling’ on the village. It is important to

Summary

First published
September 12, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 27, 2018

Incident Code

CS1818

LOCATION

الظهرة ,الشعفة, Dhahra, Al Shafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On October 30th a single source, Al-Sha’fa Facebook page, reported an alleged Coalition airstrike “on a house in the outskirts of Dhahra.” The source said: “We don’t know who the house belonged to, but the whole family was killed”. The source was unable to specify the precise date of the reported civilian harm, noting that

Summary

First published
October 27, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 25, 2018

Incident Code

CS1855

LOCATION

الكشمه, Al Kashma , Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between five and 20 civilians were reported killed in an alleged airstrike which was said to have targeted Al Kashma. All sources blamed the Coalition for the incident. Al Araby reported that “Local sources told Al Araby Al Jadid that the raids left 15 dead civilians, mostly children and women, in addition to dozens of wounded.”

Summary

First published
November 25, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 20
(2–4 children2–4 women)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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 29, 2019

Incident Code

CS1893

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported that the Coalition fired several missiles at or near residential buildings in Al-Baghouz town, claiming the lives of up to 14 civilians. One source claimed the attack was by a US B-1 bomber. In a September 20 2021 strike report for the incident, the US Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent

Summary

First published
January 29, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 14
(3–5 children3–4 women1–2 men)
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
10 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 13, 2019

Incident Code

CS1917

LOCATION

الطكيحي, Al Takihi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Between midnight and 5 am on the morning of April 13th five people were reportedly killed in what was described as a “landing operation” by the US-led Coalition in Al-Takihi village. According to Jisir TV, the operation was carried out by several Apache helicopters and Hummer vehicles. It was, however, unclear who killed the victims (whose

Summary

First published
April 13, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 5
(1 woman0–4 men)
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
0–4
View Incident

Incident date

August 16, 2017

Incident Code

CS1379a

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

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

Summary

First published
August 16, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 20, 2019

Incident Code

CS1933

LOCATION

ذيبان, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Two civilians were reportedly killed when Coalition forces and special forces from the SDF carried out a landing operation in Dhiban, “targeting a house inhabited by people who are not residents of the town”. Deir Ezzor reported that “a number of wanted persons were killed and a number of others managed to escape. Others were

Summary

First published
September 20, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 27, 2021

Incident Code

CS1968

LOCATION

الصبحة, Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A male civilian, co-chair of the Deir Ezzor Civil Council, was shot and killed by alleged Coalition forces and/or Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in on October 27, 2021. According to a tweet from @Sada_AlSharqieh, a media organization covering Eastern Syria, Samer Al-Abdullah, the co-chair of the Deir Ezzor Civil Council, in charge of running the

Summary

First published
October 27, 2021
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 10, 2016

Incident Code

RS720 CS188

LOCATION

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least two civilians including a girl and a woman died in airstrikes on the town of Khusham. While the majority of the sources allege that this was a Coalition incident, other reports say Russia was responsible. According to Free Deir Ezzor, Russian raids targeting oil fields in Khusham killed two civilians displaced from Qaryatain,

Summary

First published
March 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 20
(1–8 children1 woman)
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
Unknown, Syrian Regime, US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

November 6, 2014

Incident Code

CS020

LOCATION

موقة, Muqah, Idlib, Syria

The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that up to four unnamed children under the age of 10 died in a coalition airstrike on Mouka – described as one girl and two or three boys. In contrast, the VDC lists three unidentified bodies (two adult males and one female child) noting that they were “Martyred due to

Summary

First published
November 6, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 4
(3–4 children2 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, Syrian Regime
View Incident

Incident date

February 6, 2015

Incident Code

CS053

LOCATION

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria

A coalition airstrike allegedly killed four unnamed civilian males in the vicinity of Al Shadadi, according to VDC. The Step news agency reported multiple coalition strikes in the vicinity: “The Alliance today carried out a number of raids on ISIL targets south of Al Hassakah. Five missiles fell on the city of Shadadi followed by

Summary

First published
February 6, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(4 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
View Incident

Incident date

June 30, 2015

Incident Code

CS086

LOCATION

سلوك, 20 km from Suluk, Raqqa, Syria

A civilian car was reported hit in a coalition airstrike 20km to the south of Suluk, killing those inside. The attack was described as occurring near Umm al Brameel, to the south east of Tal Abyad. Among the dead was a child named as Mohmmad Ali Ahmad Al Assaf.  

Summary

First published
June 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(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

August 29, 2015

Incident Code

CS119

LOCATION

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

A six-months pregnant woman named as Ghafran Al Jabli was reported killed in an event at Al Bab along with her 10-year old nephew, Mohammad Al Waki. Syrian Martyrs reported that the deaths were caused by a Coalition strike on the outskirts of the city. However VDC described the cause of death as shooting, while

Summary

First published
August 29, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 woman)
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
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
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 29, 2015

Incident Code

CS161

LOCATION

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

According to reports a car which was carrying a family reportedly fleeing the violence in Syria was itself struck in an alleged Coalition airstrike, killing a young infant girl. Aisha Saleh Hassan al Hameedi was reported killed and her family injured when their car was struck near A’zaz, northern Aleppo. The family had been displaced

Summary

First published
December 29, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4
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

April 11, 2016

Incident Code

CS202

LOCATION

حمام صغير, Hamam Sagheir, Aleppo, Syria

Up to four civilians were reported killed and ten injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hamam Sagheir village in Aleppo governorate. One of those killed was a child, who died alongside his father. The Syrian Network placed the death toll at two including a child. Syria Post said up to four died, noting that

Summary

First published
April 11, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child1 man)
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 22, 2016

Incident Code

CS238

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

A British schoolgirl Kadiza Sultana – who had run away with two friends to join ISIL – was killed in a Coalition strike on an ‘ISIL finance centre’ – a local bank. Sultana reportedly lived in an apartment above the building targeted that day. The US has not admitted civilian deaths related to this strike,

Summary

First published
June 22, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 18, 2016

Incident Code

CS271

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

A single source reported the deaths of three named young children and the injuring of five more family members, in a fresh alleged Coalition casualty event at Manbij. In the second 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”,

Summary

First published
July 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
5
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 6, 2016

Incident Code

CS305

LOCATION

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

A single source, Halaab News, named the child Zuheir Mohammad al Maghrabi as having been killed in an alleged Coalition raid on Manbij. No further details are currently available. In their May 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

Summary

First published
September 6, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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

November 16, 2016

Incident Code

CS376

LOCATION

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria

A single source reported that an unspecified number of civilian casualties were caused by a Coalition strike on al Tabaqa. According to Smart News, “A number of civilians died and wounded on Wednesday-Thursday night due to aerial bombing of the international coalition on Tabaqa city in the western countryside of Raqqa.” No other details are

Summary

First published
November 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident