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

28 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1428

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One young male civilian was killed in an alleged US-led Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. The date of the event and his death was unclear, though reporting on August 31st, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said he died “a few days ago”.

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1424

Location

Centre, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that ten civilians – including up to six children and four women and two men from one family – were killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes in central Raqqa City. The strike reportedly struck or targeted a building in which the the Al-Shakran family were sheltering. The family were displaced persons from…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1425

Location

الأنصار, Ar Raqqah: Ansar mosque, Raqqa, Syria
The death of between one and three people was reported by local media sources, following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on the city of Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “documented the death of three people after the bombing of downtown Raqqa by International Coalition aircraft”, though did not provide details of the civilians reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1425b

Location

البوليل, Al Boulil, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that a Coalition airstrike struck an ISIS vehicle, killing two young men who had previously been arrested and forced to join ISIS. Two members of ISIS guarding them were also killed in the attack. The source reported that increasing numbers of young men were forcibly…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1421

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two infants were reported killed along with their mother after “bombing” and “shelling” of Raqqa city. A Tweet by @AhmadShibli blamed the US-led Coalition for the attack, however, the majority of other sources did not specify an actor. The city of Raqqa was reportedly “besieged by International Coalition aircraft” at the time of the incident.

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1422

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reported killed following the “bombing of Raqqa city”. The specific location of the incident is presently unknown. One of the sources, Ahmed Shbili, identified the “International Coalition” as the culprits, while other sources only referred to the general bombardment of the city.

Summary

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