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

8 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1354

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
It was reported by local sources that a woman named Reham Abdul Aziz Al-Taha and all her children were killed in alleged US-led Coalition strikes on the city of Al-Raqqa. Sources did not state how many children have died. In a Facebook post by Sdc Palmyra it was asserted that the family comprised of displaced…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1342

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that Baraa Abdullah al-Haddad and his son were killed in an “airstrike”. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1343

Location

al Wadi street, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian, Mr. Abed Mahal al-Attiyah, was named as killed by a mortar shell which reportedly fell on his as he left evening prayers at al Hamza mosque, according to local media. Airwars understands that the SDF are using mortars in Raqqa, therefore they can’t be ruled out as the culprit. Additionally, a report by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1344

Location

الرقة‎, central, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition artillery strikes on Raqqa. Multiple sources described Mr Amiro as as a “judo coach and referee and head of the Technical Committee in Al Raqqa”. Al hassaka rasd, Alraqqa ahlna, @AlHasakalhadth blamed artillery for his death. Airwars understands that only the Coalition is using artillery in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1345

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Al Hadika al Bayda, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in alleged Coalition strikes in the al Hadika al Baidaa area, Raqqa city. In a Facebook post by RBSS, the names of the victims were given as Abdul Wahab Al-Issa and his wife Nawal Al-Ibrahim Al-Ahmad. All sources point towards the Coalition carrying out an air or artillery strike. Airwars…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1346

Location

المستشفى الوطني, National hospital, Raqqa, Syria
Reports claimed that ‘artillery shelling’ took place on At Watani hospital, Raqqa. The citizen journalist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently attributed the event to International Coalition Forces and the SDF, as did multiple other sources. According to a Facebook post from Al Hassaka Rasd the ambulance section of the hospital was “subjected to heavy…

Summary

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