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

10 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1362a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes 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 report stated that"Mohannad Mohammed…

Summary

Published
10 August 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1362

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians including one child died in an airstrike on Raqqa, local media reported. Among sources blaming the Coalition were the Step News Agency and Al Hassaka Rasd.

Summary

Published
10 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2017

Incident Code

CI826

Location

تل عفر, Tal Afar, Al Anbar, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of five civilians in an event near Tal Afar, Iraq. Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS headquarters, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed." In July 2019, the Coalition provided…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1357

Location

الرقة, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Eleven civilians were reported killed and “dozens” injured following alleged US-led Coalition attacks on the city of Raqqa – though these were general numbers for civilian casualties and there was the possibility that the figure could include other casualty events. Local sources described the event as an “aerial bombardment” in which the Coalition “launched raids…

Summary

Published
9 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–11
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1358

Location

شارع البريد, Al Bareed neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that four civilians were killed and five others wounded in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes, in al Bareed neighbourhood, Raqqa. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

Published
9 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1359

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two children were killed and many others wounded in strikes on al Tayba village, according to numerous local sources. At present it is unclear who was responsible for the incident; some sources have cited Russia and the regime, whilst others held the Coalition suspect. A Tweet by @palestinedam said that “the death of a child…

Summary

Published
9 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
31
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident