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

22 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1405

Location

الملاهي, near Malahi (amusement park), Raqqa, Syria
A major civilian casualty event in which 40 to 50 or more people reportedly died, and between 60 and 100 people injured, followed US-led Coalition airstrikes in conjunction with artillery shelling, alleged local sources. The offensive targeted the Malahi (Amusement Park) district of Raqqa City and obliterated a four-storey residential building, where more than 40…

Summary

Published
22 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
40–50
Civilians reported injured
60–100
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1406

Location

various villages south of Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Airstrikes hit Markada and the villages of Al-Dushisha, Rakhsh, Al-Zaynat and Al-Fadghmi, in the south of Al-Hasaka, according to local sources. The US-led Coalition was alleged to have conducted the strikes. Specific casualty numbers were unknown, however, according to the Al Qaeda-linked group Tahrir Al Sham, which claimed that “the International Alliance launched air raids…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1407

Location

حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria
A man was killed and five of his family injured following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Rumaila, Raqqa. According to Hasaka Rasd and Syrianfreearmy, “his wife and four children injured” in the attack. Ahmad Shbli reported an “intensive artillery bombardment” of the Al-Badu, Nahda and Rumaila areas of the city, but made no mention of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 August 2017

Incident Code

CI833

Location

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that more than 30 civilians were killed in an aerial bombardment on Tal Afar, west of Mosul, Nineveh. A single source, Omara Al Halbusi, blamed the US-led Coalition for the attack, which he claimed destroyed houses and the civilians inside. The other sources tracked by Airwars did not specify any particular faction…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1401

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and other local sources reported that 78 civilians were killed in alleged US-led Coalition and SDF artillery strikes during the past 24 hours on the city of Raqqa. It is important to note that these are general civilian casualty numbers, and could encompass other civilian casualty entries.

Summary

Published
21 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
78
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1402

Location

Tawassouiya, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian, named as Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumair, was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. There are no other details at this time. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their reported noted: "After review of all available strike records it was determined that more…

Summary

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