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

25 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1416

Location

National Hospital and in the vicinity of Naim roundabout and Al Amasi Street, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported “artillery shelling” targeted the National Hospital and the vicinity of the roundabout Naim and Al-Amasi Street in Raqqa City. Sources referred to “news of martyrs” but did not list the number or details of alleged civilian casualties. Airwars understands that only the US-led Coalition have access to artillery in Raqqa. See also…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1417

Location

Al Fadaghmi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two or three civilians were killed in alleged US airstrikes close to Al-Fadghami village near Hasaka City. Yusuf Ali al-Shawoush (12 years) and Hassan Ali al-Hamoud (55 years), and one unidentified person, were reportedly shepherds who were herding their flock when the airstrikes hit. According to local sources around 130 sheep were also killed in…

Summary

Published
25 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1418

Location

The National Hospital, Raqqa, Syria
Sources initially reported three people were killed following alleged US-led Coalition air strikes on The National (Al Watani) Hospital in Raqqa. Subsequent reports identified nine victims. Mohammad Jom’a al Taha (b. 1951), an agricultural engineer, and two of his sons, were killed in the offensive. According to sources the family was displaced people from Deir…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24–25 August, 2017

Incident Code

CS1418a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strike in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The report stated that "Ousama…

Summary

Published
25 August 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1412

Location

Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A woman was named as killed in an airstrike on Deir ez-Zor, though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for her death. The majority of sources blamed either Russia or the regime, however, Hasaka Rasd and Euphrates Post did not apportion blame.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1413

Location

al Der'iya, Raqqa, Syria
An adult male and his youngest daughter were killed in suspected US-led Coalition strikes on al Der’iya neighbourhood, west of Raqqa city. Out of the eleven sources collected two did not specify an actor and referred only to “shelling”, whilst nine sources blamed the US-led Coalition.  

Summary

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