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

2 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1438

Location

دوار النعيم, Al Naim roundabout, Raqqa, Syria
The citizen journalist group, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, reported on the death of 14 civilians following alleged “shelling” by the US-led Coalition, near the al Naim roundabout, Raqqa City centre. In a subsequent report, also from RBSS, one man and his wife and his brother. Despite reports reporting that as many as 14 civilians…

Summary

Published
2 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–14
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1434

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed after suspected US-led Coalition strikes on Raqqa City. Two of those killed were named by Euphrates Post and Hasaka Rasd. The sources said the two killed were originally from Deir Al-Zour. All sources attributed the deaths to “bombing by the International Coalition”, though no specific location for the deaths was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1435

Location

Al Shmeitiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On September 1, 2017, up to seven civilians died in an airstrike on Al Shmeitiya, according to local media. While most sources didn’t identify the belligerent, two reports attributed the event to Russia. In three sequential reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted the deaths of between two and four civilians following airstrikes on…

Summary

Published
1 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1436

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City on the first day of Eid al-Adha, local media reported. Syrianpc said other people were wounded in the attack. Multiple sources named victims. All sources asserted the US-led Coalition was responsible. No further information is available at present.

Summary

Published
1 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1437

Location

الرقة‎ , Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
On January 11th 2018, Rami Assaf reported that “news of the martyrdom of the family of Mr. Ahmed Al-Hanan from Muhsin in rural Deir Al-Zour has now been confirmed. They were killed four months ago as a result of the bombing of the International Coalition against the city of Raqqa. Their bodies were found today…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1433

Location

صغير شامية, Sagheer Shamiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On August 31, 2017, at least three civilians died in an airstrike on Zaghir Shamiya, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, Russia or the Syrian Regime were responsible for the event. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that between two and three people were killed…

Summary

Published
31 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident