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

9 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1457a

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian and the injury of three others in an event near Abu Kamal. Their February 2018 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that destroyed Daesh weapons facility under and headquarters one civilian was unintentionally killed and three…

Summary

Published
9 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1454

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male from Deir Ezzor was reportedly killed in Raqqa, following airstrikes of the US-led Coalition. All known sources held the Coalition responsible for the attack. No additional details are available at present.

Summary

Published
8 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1455

Location

النهضة, Nahdah neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 11 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a school in Raqqah’s Al Nahda neighbourhood, local media reported. Baladi and Al Hasaka Rasd put the death toll at nine – both blaming the US-led Coalition. According to RT Arabic, “The Syrian government has accused the international coalition of committing a new massacre…

Summary

Published
8 September 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1456

Location

Al Nahdah, Raqqa, Syria
On August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of possible civilian harm. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “September 8, 2017, near al-Nahdah, Syria, via media report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this…

Summary

Published
8 September 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1453

Location

Bokros Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that “a leader of the Islamic State, and his son were killed in a raid by the Washington-led international coalition aircraft” al Laayadh area, near the river crossing, بقرص تحتاني Bokros Tahtani, Eastern Deir Ezzor. According to Euphrates Post among other sources, he was “coming from the town of Al-Shuhail on a…

Summary

Published
7 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2017

Incident Code

CI839

Location

عنه, Anah, near Rafidain Bank, Al Anbar, Iraq
Yaqein reported on the aerial bombardment of International Alliance aircraft on the districts of Anah, injuring 7 civilians. However, in two later reports, the news agency stated that the Iraqi army launched air raids targeting residential areas. The US-led Coalition later accepted responsibility for the event, saying it had unintentionally injured seven civilians. The Iraqi…

Summary

Published
7 September 2017
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident