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

20 August 2017

Incident Code

CI832

Location

تل عفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an incident near Tal Afar, Iraq. Their January 2018 civilian casualty report noted "During a Coalition strike which killed at least two ISIS members and destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system being prepared to fire it…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1430

Location

Sooq Al-Hall, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported a family of five, including children and three women, were killed following US-led Coalition airstrikes, near the market in Sooq Al-Hall, Raqqa. The child, Saleh Fawaz Ahmad al Abdullah (pictured), and his family were killed after “Coalition warplane missiles fired on the old al Hal Market area south of Raqqa City” according…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1394

Location

المرور, Ar Raqqah: Mouroor neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Coalition air raids on Raqqa resulted in the deaths of 9 civilians, including 4 children. The US-led alliance later admitted responsibility for the deaths, following an Amnesty International field investigation. Amnesty researchers interviewed Munira Hashish who lost 18 members of her family, nine of whom were killed in a Coalition air strike. She stated: “It…

Summary

Published
20 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1395

Location

حديقة المرورية, Al Hadika al Mororia, Raqqa, Syria
Local media sources reported that Ghassan al-Shammati was killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrike in Raqqa. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed the US for the attack, whilst Hasaka Rasd referred to “artillery bombardment” as the form of attack. According to Hnoda4474, the victim died “after the bombing by Coalition aircraft in the area of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1387

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One man named Mohammed Khair Chalwan was killed in an alleged airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. Ahmad Shbli directly blamed the Coalition for his death, while other sources referred to an “aerial bombardment”.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1388

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Ar Raqqah: Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria
One man, named as Omar al-Kafri, was killed in an alleged US-led Coalition strike in Raqqa, local sources said. It was reported by Raqqa r_w_b that Omar al-Kafri was struck nearby “the house of his family, beside the Al Hadika Al Bayda while distributing water from the well he had dug with his neighbours”. All…

Summary

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