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 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1313

LOCATION

مقلة, Muqla, banks of Euphrates, Raqqa, Syria

Several civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on boats on the Euphrates river near the village of Makla, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame for the casualties. According to Sound and Picture, “Coalition aircraft targeted civilian boats along the banks of the

Summary

First published
August 1, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1341

LOCATION

البوليل, Al Bouliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One civilian male died in an airstrike on al Boulial, however, there was uncertainty regarding the date of his death. On August 9th, Euphrates Post reported “a resident of the town of Al-Boulial, died of wounds he sustained as a result of airstrikes on the water crossing in the town several days ago.” Mohsen and

Summary

First published
August 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

August 28, 2017

Incident Code

CS1426

LOCATION

Tarif, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One named civilian died and others were wounded in airstrikes on Tarif in the western suburbs of Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Assad regime or Russia were to blame. Step News Agency blamed the Coalition and said that white phosphorous was used. It

Summary

First published
August 28, 2017
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 7, 2017

Incident Code

CI840

LOCATION

Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Local media reported that an unidentified aircraft carried out an airstrike on a residential district in Rawa, killing up to seven civilians and wounding three more. Yaqin was the only source to attribute responsibility, blaming Iraqi forces, There was shelling by government aircraft targeting residential areas in the district of Rawa, west of Anbar, killing

Summary

First published
September 7, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
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 belligerents
US-led Coalition, Iraq Government Forces
View Incident

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Incident Code

CS1479

LOCATION

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

An adult civilian male (pictured) died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah, local sources said. There is limited information, however all sources cited the Coalition as the culprit. Mr Hareth’s death was reported on October 7th, though it was stated he had died “nearly a month ago.” Airwars has tentatively placed the data range at

Summary

First published
September 14, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 18, 2017

Incident Code

CS1508

LOCATION

الرقة‎ , Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “International Coalition warplanes bombed Al-Raqqah city after midnight on Monday – Tuesday. This resulted in the death of two persons at least and the injury of others”. The monitor said fighting was taking place “in areas in the vicinity of the centre of Al-Raqqah city, and in

Summary

First published
September 18, 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

September 27, 2017

Incident Code

CS1534

LOCATION

White Garden area, Raqqa, Syria

Between 29 and 35 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the al Hadika al Baidaa area of Raqqah, according to local media. @24Raqqa put the death toll at 29, “including women and children”. But according to Raqqa Now and Almanar, more than 35 died. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

Summary

First published
September 27, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
29 – 35
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 1, 2017

Incident Code

CS1562

LOCATION

التوسعية, Al Tawassoy’ia neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria

On January 30th several sources reported the exhumation of a whole family from under the ruins of their own house in Al Tawassoy’ia neighbourhood of Raqqah city. According to all reports, Mohammed Anwar al-Jabeen, his wife and four children, “Bashar, Abboud, Bushra, Ibrahim” died as a result of bombing by the US-led Coalition. The date

Summary

First published
October 1, 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

October 6, 2017

Incident Code

CS1594

LOCATION

بتاني, Ar Raqqah: Bitani roundabout, Raqqa, Syria

A family of six, the mother Amal al Huwaidi and her five children died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the al Batani roundabout area in al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah city. The source Mohammed Alabdullah did not apportion blame, however all others alleged the US-led Coalition responsible. The family were, according to Amnesty International fieldnotes,

Summary

First published
October 6, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(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
6 named
View Incident

Incident date

October 15, 2017

Incident Code

CS1626

LOCATION

البصيرة, Al Busayrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A young man died following alleged airstrikes on the village of al Busayrah, Deir Ezzor governorate, according to local media. Reports said that up to five other civilians died in addition to Abdul and that people were fleeing the town while air raids were carried out. A later report from Sharqiya Voice named two families of

Summary

First published
October 15, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(3 children1 woman1 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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 26, 2017

Incident Code

CS1685

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One child died in a casualty event in Al Baghouz, according to local media. The Al Sharq al Souri agency reported on November 28th that the victim died from wounds sustained by an artillery shell in the village of Al-Baghouz two days ago. The Syrian Human Rights Committee also blamed an artillery shell for the child’s

Summary

First published
November 26, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 24, 2018

Incident Code

CS1717

LOCATION

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Three women died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hajeen, according to local media. The three victims were named by Deir Ezzor 24 as Mansya Samir Al-Aswad; the wife of Eid Mansy Al Aswad; and the wife of Ali Mansy Al Aswad Some reports appear to have

Summary

First published
January 24, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 1, 2018

Incident Code

CS1747

LOCATION

القصر, Al Qasr village, Al Hassakah, Syria

According to local sources, at least 13 and up to 30 civilians were killed and “tens of others” were injured in airstrikes on al Qasr village, also known as al Fadel, near the Syrian-Iraqi border in the Tal al Jayer area of al Hassaka governorate. Reports identified both the Coalition and the Iraqi air force

Summary

First published
May 1, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
24 – 30
(5–14 children3–5 women7 men)
Civilians reported injured
10–20
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
Named victims
31 named, 5 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 2, 2018

Incident Code

CS1778

LOCATION

تل الشاير, Road near Tal al Shayer, Al Hassakah, Syria

Local sources said that three brothers from the same family – reportedly civilians – were killed and one other was injured in a Coalition airstrike near the town of Tal al Shayer. Most sources stated that the three “martyrs” were all from the same family and in a “civilian car” when they were targeted. Many

Summary

First published
July 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
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
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2018

Incident Code

CS1800

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Local sources reported the death of an adult civilian male, Hussein al-Humeidahin al Bagouz. There was however a discrepancy in the reports. While some local sources attributed the civilian’s death to (SDF) artillery shelling, one source claimed that he was killed by a sniper. Euphrates Post reported for example the “martyrdom of Hussein al-Humeidah after

Summary

First published
September 19, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1–0 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
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 17, 2018

Incident Code

CS1839

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A girl was killed in an alleged airstrike on Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, according to local reports. Smart News reported that dozens were wounded including the relatives of the victim, specifying that “her uncle was seriously injured”. Three sources including Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor 24, reported that the Coalition was responsible. Further to this,

Summary

First published
November 17, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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, Syrian Regime
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 2, 2016

Incident Code

RS1518

LOCATION

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria

Four civilians died and between four and ten were wounded after a series of three cluster missile attacks were carried out against the city of Maarat Misrin, according to local media. The majority of sources have assigned responsibility to Syrian regime planes but LCCSY and Syria Idlib Today alleged that Russian warplanes carried out the

Summary

First published
November 2, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
4–10
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Russian Military, US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime
Named victims
2 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident

Incident date

July 3, 2017

Incident Code

CS1151a

LOCATION

الحسينية, Al Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Coalition airstrikes allegedly struck the towns of Al Husseiniya, Baghiliya, Mara’iyah around the same time. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that International Coalition warplanes shelled areas in Al-Husseiniya, killing two men in in Al-Husseiniya and wounding an unknown number of others. Not other details are known. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the

Summary

First published
July 3, 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
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Incident Code

RS738 CS192

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

In a second day of airstrikes on Raqqa, 43 civilians were reported killed and 60 injured – though sources are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime – with one report suggesting this may be a Coalition incident. The Daesh agency Al A’maq said there had been nine

Summary

First published
March 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
39 – 43
(5 women8 men)
Civilians reported injured
60
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
14 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 9, 2017

Incident Code

CS955b

LOCATION

شارع النور, Al Nour Mosque, Raqqa, Syria

Five people were killed due to an airstrike that destroyed their home near the Al Nour mosque. Some of their names were initially reported on by several local sources (RBSS, RFS, Step News Agency) in connection to incident CS955a. During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in

Summary

First published
June 9, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(2 children2 women1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
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
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 16, 2014

Incident Code

CS013

LOCATION

كبيبة, Kabiba, Al Hassakah, Syria

In a major night time coalition air raid targeting oil facilities used by Islamic State, five civilians including a 7- or 10-year old boy were reported killed. The dead were later named by various sources. In a detailed report on the event, SN4HR later noted: “Those civilians are from Kabiba town and they work on

Summary

First published
October 16, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child2–3 men)
Civilians reported injured
6
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
View Incident

Incident date

December 12, 2018

Incident Code

CS1871a

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event near Hajin, Syria. The Pentagon later declared this to have been a US-caused incident. Their September 2019 civilian casualty report noted: “Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally wounded

Summary

First published
December 12, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
Civilians reported injured
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

December 13, 2014

Incident Code

CI021

LOCATION

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

In an event previously unreported by Airwars, Coalition reported an unspecified open source as publishing a picture of a dead child “without any identification of original location”. According to provisional analysis “There was one airstrike in Ramadi on 13 December (strike #1266) which was unlikely to have caused the death.” No further action was recorded

Summary

First published
December 13, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

May 4, 2021

Incident Code

CS1958

LOCATION

الشنان, Al Shanan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

At least one man was killed in an alleged US-led Coalition drone strike in al-Shanan village in eastern Deir Ezzor on May 4, 2021. While the majority of sources that reported on the incident claimed that the man killed was no longer part of any armed groups, a spokesman for the Coalition identified him as

Summary

First published
May 4, 2021
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
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
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

February 4, 2015

Incident Code

CS051

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

An internal CENTCOM review cited claims from a redacted Twitter user that “Coalition aircraft killed an entire family in an airstrike on Ar Raqqah ‘in response to the killing of Jordanian pilot Mu’adh al-Kasasibah.’ The allegation was accompanied by an attached photo showing the alleged victims wrapped in white cloth.“ An internal review found that

Summary

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

August 4, 2023

Incident Code

CS1996

LOCATION

مطب البوراشد, , Matab Al Bourashed, Deir Ezzor, Syria

On the 4th of August 2023, International Coalition forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) allegedly conducted an airdrop operation, which involved a ground action and helicopters, at dawn in the town of Matab Al Burashid, in Deir Ezzor, shooting and killing a civilian named Ali Abdel Hamid Al-Areed and injuring his brother. Multiple media

Summary

First published
August 4, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
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 belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 18, 2015

Incident Code

CS080

LOCATION

تل أبيض, Tall Abyad, Raqqa, Syria

Two women were reported by a single source, the Syrian Observatory, as having been killed in a “Coalition airstrike” in the countryside around Tal Abiyad. In July 2017 the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “Jun. 18, 2015, near Tal Abyad, Syria, via Airwars report: After

Summary

First published
June 18, 2015
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

July 16, 2015

Incident Code

CS102

LOCATION

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Coalition aircraft allegedly destroyed an “ISIS-owned digger,” killing a man local monitoring group Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently described as a civilian driver: “Coalition planes targeted a drilling vehicle belonging to Daesh which is used for digging berms in the area of Tal Al Bayi’a. This led to the burning of the vehicle, and to

Summary

First published
July 16, 2015
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
View Incident

Incident date

August 30, 2015

Incident Code

CI098

LOCATION

أربيل, Near Irbil, Erbil, Iraq

Three or four possible civilians were reported killed in an airstrike in northern Iraq, carried out by two Danish F-16s which each dropped a 500lb GBU-12 bomb. The possible error was discovered after a Danish review of cockpit video: “In some parts of the footage showing four people and a vehicle, there were acts being

Summary

First published
August 30, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 7, 2015

Incident Code

CI119

LOCATION

Shura, Nineveh, Iraq

There were reports that a dozen people were killed – including five women – following alleged Coalition attacks which struck civilian homes at Shura, 40 km south of Mosul. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they had killed civilians in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition

Summary

First published
October 7, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12
(5 women)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident