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

30 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1431

Location

T2 near Iraqi-Syria border, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to multiple local sources, one adult male died in an alleged Coalition airstrike. A source quoted by the Palmyra Coordination Committee asserted strikes targeted “a civilian car he was travelling near the second station T2 near the Iraqi-Syrian border yesterday.” The source added: “It is worth mentioning that the Coalition announced the targeting of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 August 2017

Incident Code

CI836

Location

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local media reported on the death of civilians following alleged US-Coalition airstrikes on Al Qaiem District. According to Yagein, the aircraft launched two raids targeting residential neighbourhoods and the school of the Eastern Renaissance. The sources added that the bombing caused the destruction of a number of houses which led to deaths and injuries of…

Summary

Published
30 August 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1432

Location

Al Hawaji, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians, including two women and three children, died in airstrikes carried out by unknown aircraft on the al Hawaij village in Deir Ezzor Governorate, alleged local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Euphrates Post listed those killed. The US-led Coalition was not attributed to the attack; sources referred to “bombing by…

Summary

Published
30 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1429a

Location

Ar Raqqah: Various neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria
Initially this incident was reported on by several sources as an alleged airstrike or artillery shelling in various neighbourhoods in the city of Raqqa, in which eight cilivilians died, including one woman. There was a discrepancy regarding civilians identified in the list. Amjad Ahmed Taha Al-Suwairi, Mohammed Ayman Sweiri and Ahmad Taha Al-Omar Al Suweiri,…

Summary

Published
29 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1426

Location

Tarif, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One named civilian died and others were wounded in airstrikes on Tarif in the western suburbs of Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Assad regime or Russia were to blame. Step News Agency blamed the Coalition and said that white phosphorous was used. It…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1427

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria
Between 12 and 23 civilians were reported killed, and others wounded, following US-led Coalition airstrikes near The White Garden (Hadiqa Bayda) area, in Raqqa City. The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented 12 civilian casualties, whereas the majority of other sources reported 17 or 18 killed, including women and children. The air raid reportedly struck…

Summary

Published
28 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–23
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident