U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

In 2014 a U.S.-led coalition began a campaign of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria – officially known as Operation Inherent Resolve – following the capture of large swathes of the countries by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). An intense air and ground campaign drove ISIS out of almost all territory by 2018 but resulted in significant destruction and loss of life.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from U.S.-led Coalition strikes and has conducted numerous major investigations and research papers on the topic.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

8,220 – 13,294

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the U.S.-led Coalition. These originate from 2,984 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,904
likely injured
3,757
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,454

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 360 separate incidents of civilian harm.

402
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,182 – 29,761
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,220 – 13,294
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,538 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,391 – 2,815
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
434 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,870 – 12,564
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
778 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
696 – 1,083
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
233 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1466

Location

Al Badou, Raqqa, Syria
Between 15 and 21 civilians died and 50 others were injured following an aerial offensive by the US-led Coalition, according to local media. Step New Agency reported that the Coalition had carried out a raid on Al Badou neighbourhood, north of the Al Ma’ri school, which resulted in civilians killed and injured. The death toll…

Summary

Published
10 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
15–21
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 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

Published
10 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1468

Location

نزلة شحادة, Nazlah Shahadah/Furat neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported on major numbers of civilian casualties following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Raqqa city’s Nazlat Shahada area during an SDF offensive. Baladi News said people who have just left the city of Raqqa alleged “more than 400 bodies” under the rubble of buildings, “mostly in the Nazlah Shahada and the industrial” area.…

Summary

Published
10 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
24–400
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

CI842

Location

Huwaija, Kirkuk, Iraq
A single source reported the injuring of civilians following an alleged attack by the US-led Coalition on the district of Huwaija. The source, Iraqi News, said the aerial bombardment by international coalition aircraft targeted residential neighbourhoods and that their sources confirm the injury of civilians. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

Published
10 September 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

CI843

Location

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to a number of sources, civilian casualties were occurred following alleged Coalition actions at Al Qaim – although reporting was confused. A number of sources reported government attacks on Anah and Rawah, coupled with Coalition air or possible guided missile strikes at Al Qaim, western Anbar province. According to a subsequent report by Yaqin,…

Summary

Published
10 September 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1463

Location

الجميلي, Ar Raqqah: Jumaili neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Two to four civilians were reportedly killed in Coalition air or artillery strikes on the al Jumaili neighbourhood of Raqqa City. There was some conflict of information regarding the culprit, though most sources blamed the US-led Coalition. Sources that did not mention the Coalition referred to “artillery shelling” and “airstrikes”. Airwars understands that only the…

Summary

Published
10 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident