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

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2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1375b

Location

Raqqa: West of Mu'taaz street, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one woman was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in the area west of Al-Mu’taz street in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1442

Location

23 Shubat Street, Centre, Raqqa, Syria
Ten civilians from one family, including six women and two children, were reported killed following airstrikes by the US-led Coalition according to local sources. Reports said the strikes hit a residential building in the city of Raqqa in which the family were located, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named the victims. Syrianpc said an unknown…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1375

Location

شارع معتز, West of Mu'Taz Street, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 30 civilians including women and children died and dozens more were wounded in a Coalition airstrike on the area west of Al-Mu’taz Street in Raqqa, according to local media. The Coalition later confirmed having unintentionally injured two civilians in this strike. All sources attributed the event to the US-led Coalition, with a number…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
13–30
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1376

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that Mrs Khatoon Abdul Wahab Al – Khader Al – Fahad, the wife of the late Haj Mustafa Al Daham Al Badran, died on August 20th from wounds sustained in an alleged Coalition airstrike on August 16th.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1377

Location

Wahda, Nahda and Bedu areas, Raqqa, Syria
Between 14 and 17 people were killed, and 30 to 74 injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local media said. According to reports, the neighbourhoods of “Wahda and Nahdha and the Bedu” were targeted. Raqqa24 tweeted that the civilian deaths were a result of “bombing by Coalition aircraft” and SANA, the Syrian Arab News…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
14–17
Civilians reported injured
30–74
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1379a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In Amnesty and Airwars’ joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars generally assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", our researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The Amnesty report noted…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident