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

13 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1368

Location

فردوس, Ar Raqqah: Fardous neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Twelve civilians died and six more were wounded in Coalition air or artillery strikes on Raqqa, according to local media. The action was later confirmed to be a British airstrike. In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: "Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters utilizing a mortar system in a building used as…

Summary

Published
13 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1364

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An adult male, identified as Kassir Fawzi Al-Abeed Al-Nasser was reported killed in alleged airstrikes on Hatla town, Deir Ezzor. It was not entirely clear who was to blame for this civilian casualty event. However multiple sources cited Russia or the Syrian Regime, whilst two did not specify a culprit. According to a Facebook post…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1365

Location

near Imam al-Nawawi mosque, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple local sources reported the death of a female civilian after alleged US-led Coalition artillery strikes that hit the street of the family home near the Imam Al Nawawi Mosque, Raqqa City. The woman killed has been identified as Khansaa Mohammed Qantar. However, this victim is also named in incident CS1361, reportedly killed by artillery…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1366

Location

چراكسة, Jaraksa, Raqqa, Syria
The death of Muhammad Nur Ahmad al-Yassin al-Suwayha was documented by multiple local sources. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition for this civilian fatality. This event might or might not be related to the two events in which the Coalition conceded having caused civilian harm (See CS1370 and CS1371).

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1367

Location

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al Hassakah, Syria
The death of a young male civilian, identified as Bashir Al-Matar Awad, was reported by multiple local reports. The US-led Coalition was blamed for the incident in all sources presently collated. In a facebook post by Shbab it was reported that, “the death of a young man, Bashir Al-Matar Awad from the village Al-Dashaisha” was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1363

Location

Al Na'im area, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that there had been an “escalation of civilian martyrs” following alleged artillery shelling on the Na’im area of Raqqa. This was later confirmed to have been a US airstrike. Raqqa News Post for example reported at the time: "#Urgent : # Ar Raqqa The fall of artillery shells on the area…

Summary

Published
11 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident