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

October 31, 2017

Incident Code

CI873

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz (near al-Qaiem, Iraq), Nineveh, Iraq

In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later announced the injuries of two civilians in an event near al Qaim. Their June 2018 civilian casualty report noted: “During a strike destroyed Daesh headquarters, two civilians were unintentionally injured.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a

Summary

First published
October 31, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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

November 22, 2017

Incident Code

CS1683

LOCATION

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Up to three civilians died at al Soussa, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame for the deaths. According to Syrian Press Center, the regime used artillery shells and rocket launchers on the town. The official page for al Soussa area gave some more detail, reporting that many rockets

Summary

First published
November 22, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(1 woman)
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 17, 2018

Incident Code

CS1745

LOCATION

Al Sarajiya village near Abu Hamda, Al Hassakah, Syria

Local sources reported on the deaths of up to eleven civilians as a result of strikes carried out by Coalition helicopters in an area east of the city of Al Shadadi. According to Euphrates Post “a massacre” took place after a bombardment on a prison in the town of Abu Hamda. The report put the

Summary

First published
April 17, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 11
Civilians reported injured
2
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

June 26, 2018

Incident Code

CS1776

LOCATION

الصور, Al Sour desert in northern Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A single source reported that a civilian man was killed in a Coalition airstrike in the Al Sour desert in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor. Baladi News stated that in addition to killing nine ISIS fighters, ‘a shepherd who happened to be near them’ was also killed in the raid. Among the fighters said

Summary

First published
June 26, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Incident Code

RS1481 CS343b

LOCATION

الرميلة, al Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria

Twenty civilians, reportedly from three families, died and more were wounded in airstrikes on Raqqa’s al Rumaila neighborhood, local media said. Most reports attributed the event to Russia, though one source said that the Coalition carried out a strike which led to civilian casualties. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, “Russian planes targeted the

Summary

First published
October 18, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
20
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
Russian Military, US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

November 16, 2018

Incident Code

CS1838

LOCATION

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

An alleged Coalition night time airstrike killed “a number of civilians” and injured others, according to local media. Several sources including the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported the deaths of two civilian brothers. According to sources including Zaman Al Wasl, Al Soussa News, Al Shaafa News and the Syrian Unified Observatory, the injured

Summary

First published
November 16, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–4
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
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

December 7, 2018

Incident Code

CS1868

LOCATION

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

One young girl named as Maryam Abdel Salam was reported killed in an alleged  artillery strike on Hajin. Some sources reported that the attack was conducted by SDF ground forces using artillery while one source reported on “shelling of French artillery”. With the SDF not known to have had access to artillery at Hajin, this indicates

Summary

First published
December 7, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
View Incident

Incident date

February 11, 2019

Incident Code

CS1899

LOCATION

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

In the final stages of the fight against ISIS in its last territorial stronghold in Al-Baghouz, alleged Coalition shelling killed at least 16 civilians in the evening of February 11th on the outskirts of the town, according to local sources. Monitors reported that among the victims were seven children, eight women and one elderly man,

Summary

First published
February 11, 2019
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16
(7 children8 women1 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
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

June 11, 2017

Incident Code

CS965c

LOCATION

Raqqa, Syria

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

Summary

First published
June 11, 2017
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child2 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
4 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

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

December 11, 2014

Incident Code

CS033

LOCATION

مسكنة, Jirah Military Airbase, al Maskana, Aleppo, Syria

A shepherd boy aged 10, 14 or 15, and named as Muhammad Qasim (or sometimes Mohammed Abd al Kareem), was reportedly killed in a coalition airstrike on a nearby Islamic State military base. An investigation by the Syrian Network for Human Rights later concluded: “Around 2:45 in the afternoon an international alliance warplane raided over

Summary

First published
December 11, 2014
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2021

Incident Code

CS1955

LOCATION

العزبة, Al Azbat, Deir Ezzor, Syria

A 7-year-old child was killed and his mother and brother were injured when an alleged US-led Coalition mortar shell hit the family’s home in the town of Al Azbat, Deir Ezzor governorate, on January 9th, 2021. Local sources reported that the incident occured during a military training near the Coalition base near the Koniko oil

Summary

First published
January 9, 2021
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
Suspected targets
Other, Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 3, 2015

Incident Code

CI036

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq

An internal post-strike review for CENTCOM of full-motion video revealed a “possible child entering a targeted bunker and then disappearing out of the field of view (FOV) approximately 19 minutes before Strike.” The dynamic strike, conducted by a French Mirage 2000 using a Bu-49 bomb, killed an estimated five enemy fighters. Claims that a child

Summary

First published
February 3, 2015
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

July 7, 2023

Incident Code

CS1994

LOCATION

بزاعة, Bza’a, Idlib, Syria

A civilian was injured by declared US drone strikes which killed an ISIS member on July 7, 2023 on the road between Al Bab and Bza’a, Syria. The @SyriaCivilDefe reported that a person was killed while driving a motorcycle on the road between Al Bab and Bza’a and a civilian was slightly injured while passing

Summary

First published
July 7, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
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.
Known belligerent
US-led Coalition
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

April 4, 2015

Incident Code

CI056

LOCATION

فايده, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq

Five Kurdish non-combatants, all from the same family, died in a reported Coalition strike on the village of Fadhiliyah, near Mosul. A major field investigation by the Guardian later identified the dead. Three family members survived the attack though were injured. Rahim, an eyewitness and relative, told the Guardian: “We wrapped the dead in blankets

Summary

First published
April 4, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(1 child2 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
3
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
Known target
ISIS
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 11, 2015

Incident Code

CS078

LOCATION

سلوك, Slouk, Raqqa, Syria

Two or three alleged Coalition incidents were clustered together in most news reports: the killing of a family of five at Slouk; the death of a child near Ma’adan; and up to 15 further civilian deaths in other airstrikes in the vicinity. According to SOHR, “international coalition aircraft last night carried out several strikes in

Summary

First published
June 11, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 20
(1 child2 women)
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

July 12, 2015

Incident Code

CS100

LOCATION

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

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

Summary

First published
July 12, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

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

October 4, 2015

Incident Code

CS132

LOCATION

الحويج, Al Huwaij , Al Hassakah, Syria

The Syrian News Network reported Coalition strikes on the village of Huwaij to the west of Al Hassakah. Step News also reported that “Coalition aircraft targets ISIS-run center in the village of Al-Huwaij and for information on the size of the losses yet.” #سوريا #Syria#الحسكةطيران التحالف يستهدف مركز لتنظيم الدولة في قرية الحويج ولامعلومات عن

Summary

First published
October 4, 2015
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(5 children2 women)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
Suspected target
ISIS
View Incident

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Incident Code

CI186

LOCATION

حي الكرامة, Mosul, Karama, Nineveh, Iraq

 A number of sources reported that at least seven civilian forced labourers were killed in an alleged Coalition on a Daesh pickup truck. The incident took place in the main street area of Karama, a neighbourhood to the east of Mosul. NRN News said that the civilians were being used by Daesh as forced labourers to demolish graves

Summary

First published
February 10, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 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
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Incident Code

CI203

LOCATION

الثقافية, Mosul, cultural group area, Nineveh, Iraq

At least 15 civilians were claimed killed alongside 40 or more Daesh fighters, in an alleged Coalition air raid on Mosul. NRN News first flashed at around noon local time “the fall of dozens of civilians by bombings on both sides of the city. More soon.” In a later bulletin, the news agency said the

Summary

First published
March 19, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
15 – 25
(3 men)
Civilians reported injured
30–103
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
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2016

Incident Code

CI226

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Several local sources reported that a man was killed along with his wife and child in an airstrike on a vehicle in the Hadbah or officers’ neighbourhood of eastern Mosul. A local tweet reported: “Martyrdom of Engineer Mustafa and his family by aerial bombing which targeted his car in the Hadbah neighbourhood in Mosul. Nothing

Summary

First published
April 16, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2016

Incident Code

CS218

LOCATION

مارع‎, Ma're, Aleppo, Syria

Alleged Coalition airstrikes in the vicinity of Ma’re led to seven civilian deaths with more injured, according to reports. Noting the fierce clashes in northern Aleppo governorate, Eldorar reported that “Dozens of civilians were killed in bombings by US aircraft during the last 48 hours, due to the detention of civilians by IS, which is

Summary

First published
May 28, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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

June 25, 2016

Incident Code

CI256

LOCATION

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

One local source, Mosul Eye, reported that eight civilian detainees of Daesh were killed after the coalition allegedly targeted a Daesh convoy which was transferring the prisoners to court. Mosul Eye reported: The source explained to Mousliyn, that elements of the organisation brought a group of prisoners by bus for their ‘trial, but international Coalition

Summary

First published
June 25, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2016

Incident Code

CS317

LOCATION

العريمة, Al `A'rīma, Aleppo, Syria

Fouad al Waisi, his wife and his daughter were all reported killed in a daytime Coalition strike near Manbij, in the village of al A’rima. The Coalition later reported that three civilians had been injured in the incident, without mentioning any civilians killed. On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition

Summary

First published
September 27, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child1 woman)
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
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

October 20, 2016

Incident Code

CI300

LOCATION

حي الحدباء, Mosul, Hadba, Nineveh, Iraq

One civilian male was killed in Mosul’s Hadba neighbourhood by Coalition strikes, according to local reports. Al Rafidain Network for Human Rights reported that a young man named Mustafa Bushar al Qaddu was killed inside his home due to Coalition strikes. Iraaq 18 said the civilian casualties occured after the Coalition destroyed a vehicle-borne IED:

Summary

First published
October 20, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2016

Incident Code

CI318

LOCATION

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq

Nine civilians were killed and over 115 claimed wounded, according to ISIL-linked sources. ISIL-controlled al A’amaq reported that more than 9 civilians died, including four children and a woman, and “about 115 wounded as a result of US airstrikes” in Mosul. A distressing video posted by the ISIL-controlled outlet initially shows several destroyed buildings in

Summary

First published
November 3, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
9
(4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
115
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 14, 2016

Incident Code

CI337

LOCATION

حي الزهراء, Mosul, Sheshan and Zahrah, Nineveh, Iraq

Airwars researcher met the three injured named kids at the evacuation centre in Goggali frontline east of Mosul after they submitted to Unknown fire in Sheshan and Zahrah neighbourhoods east of Mosul. In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as

Summary

First published
November 14, 2016
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3
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