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

4 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1443

Location

National hospital, Raqqa, Syria
Eighteen civilians were reported killed and many others wounded following airstrikes on the National Hospital in the besieged city of Raqqa. According to Syrianpc the civilians were subject to both “aerial bombardment” and “artillery” whilst inside the hospital. Al Hassaka Marsad said “hundreds” were injured; due to “monitoring of the armed Kurdish units” people were…

Summary

Published
4 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
18–20
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1444

Location

Hamda barrier on road to Al-Hool camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that two civilians, an elderly man and woman, were killed following airstrikes in Eastern Deir Ezzor. The civilians killed were displaced from the town of Al-Matarada, Deir Ezzor, and they were travelling in a van toward the Al-Hool refugee camp in the southern countryside. The US-led Coalition was not blamed for the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1445

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported on the death of on civilian following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City. All sources blamed the Coalition for the attack and loss of life. Eldorar news reported “69 air raids launched by the international coalition aircraft” in a 48 hour period, resulting in the death of 20 civilians and the wounding…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1439

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three men were documented as victims of suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City. The specific location of the incident was not reported, though all sources blamed the US-led Coalition. Further information will be added to the entry when it arises.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 September 2017

Incident Code

CI837

Location

U'boor district of Anbar, Al Anbar, Iraq
A single report from Yaqein claimed the US-led Coalition had conducted an intensive aerial bombardment resulting in 200 civilians killed and injured within a 48 hour period. The specifics of the civilian casualties, including the toll and identity is currently unknown. Yaqein described indiscriminate bombing by the warplanes of the international coalition aircraft, asserting that…

Summary

Published
2 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
50–100
Civilians reported injured
50–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 September 2017

Incident Code

CI838

Location

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
Yaqein reported that 22 civilians were killed following alleged airstrikes by the US-led Coalition west of Anbar Province in Al Qaim. According to a local source cited in Yaqein, an airstrike of the international coalition aircraft” targeted the area. In addition to killing 22 people it also allegedly caused considerable material damage.

Summary

Published
2 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
22
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident