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

16 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1378 RS2389

Location

صبيخان, Subikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources said that up to six civilians were killed and up to ten more wounded in airstrikes on the town of Subikhan in the countryside of Eastern Deir Ezzor. It was unclear which party was culpable for this civilian casualty event. At present, two out of sixteen sources hold the US-led Coalition responsible, two…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1379 RS2390

Location

زباري, Al Zabari, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an airstrike on Al-Zabari, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia was to blame for the raids. There were no reports of wounded civilians. Sharqya Voice, Saud Sbekhan and Alarby blamed the Coalition. But according to the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1373

Location

Baladi Stadium and Muawiya School District, Raqqa, Syria
Between six and ten people were reported killed including 2 or more children, in an “aerial bombardment” on the city of Raqqa. At present nearly all of the sources allege that the US-led Coalition was responsible for the incident. Significant material destruction was caused to the Baladi Stadium area and the School District of Muawiya…

Summary

Published
15 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1374

Location

Al Meshrab, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four to six civilians were killed in alleged airstrikes in the town of Al-Mesrab in the Western suburb of Deir Ezzor, according to local media. Sources initially reported only the death of Saleh al-Hamad al-Saud. However the number of fatalities later rose to at least four. The event was described by the Euphrates Post as…

Summary

Published
15 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1375a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", 11 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes 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 family names Thalji and Sueri…

Summary

Published
15 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1372

Location

Central neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources said that 23 civilians were killed and 60 injured after alleged US-led Coalition strikes targeted neighbourhoods of Raqqa. Sound and Picture reported that the “SDF militia” had engaged in the offensive during the daytime with “intensive artillery”, whilst the US-led Coalition conducted airstrikes in the night. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has…

Summary

Published
14 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
23
Civilians reported injured
50–60
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident