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

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1389

Location

Al Jazza'a, Al Hassakah, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident, between 15 and 41 people reportedly died following an alleged US-led Coalition strike on Al Jazza’a [or al-Helo] village. The civilians were leaving Asr prayer at the village mosque when they were hit, local media sources reported. According to Hasaka Rasd and multiple other sources, “the village was not…

Summary

Published
19 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
21–41
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1390

Location

Dashisa, Al Hassakah, Syria
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the death of two people following alleged US-led Coalition strikes in Al-Dashisha in southern Hasaka. According to the single source, “a man and his wife, were killed by bombing by warplanes believes to be related to the International Coalition”.

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CI828

Location

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local media sources reported on the death of an unknown number of civilians following alleged airstrikes on Anah district in Anbar Province. The head of the district council, Abdul Karim al-Ani, called on the government to stop the shelling because it targets the homes of unarmed civilians and has led to deaths and injuries. All…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CI829

Location

القائم, Qaem, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local media sources reported on the death of an unknown number of civilians, after alleged airstrikes on Qeam district in Anbar Province. The head of the district council, Abdul Karim al-Ani, called on the government to stop the shelling because it targets the homes of unarmed civilians and has led to deaths and injuries. All…

Summary

Published
19 August 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CI830

Location

Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
As many as 300 civilians were allegedly killed and injured in Tal Afar over three days of shelling. Information on the number of lives lost was retrieved from local medical sources, who said mostly women and children were killed and wounded. According to JBC – which said that 300 civilians were killed across two days…

Summary

Published
19 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
150–300
Civilians reported injured
150–300
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1391

Location

البياطرة, al Bayatra, Raqqa, Syria
The death of a young man, named Ali Ismail al-Mu’idi, was reported by local media. His death followed an alleged US-led Coalition airstrike on the city of Raqqa. No other details are presently known.  

Summary

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