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

Search

2981 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1353

Location

Hurriyah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians. In January 2018, their monthly civilian casualty report noted “During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS indirect fire weapon system it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed when they inadvertently crossed into the area of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CI824

Location

الشرقاط, Al Shirkat, Salah Al Din, Iraq
According to Yaqein report, 170 people including both ISIS fighters and civilians were killed as a result of airstrikes carried out by the Iraqi Air Force and possibly the Coalition. Al Yaqein also reported that a large number of civilian houses had been hit in strikes on al-Shirkat. Alsumaria, citing a security source said that an…

Summary

Published
6 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–170
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1340

Location

شارع الوادي, Al Wadi street, Raqqa, Syria
One male civilian died in an alleged Coalition artillery strike on Raqqa’s Al Wadi street, according to local media. Al hassaka Rasd, Al Raqqa Truth and other sources said he died in artillery shelling of Al Wadi street. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa. In April 2019 the Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1341

Location

البوليل, Al Bouliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male died in an airstrike on al Boulial, however, there was uncertainty regarding the date of his death. On August 9th, Euphrates Post reported "a resident of the town of Al-Boulial, died of wounds he sustained as a result of airstrikes on the water crossing in the town several days ago." Mohsen and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1341a

Location

مرقدا, Near Markada, Al Hassakah, Syria
In an event previously untracked by Airwars, in November 2018 the Coalition confirmed the death of a civilian in a strike 15 months previously. The assessment noted the following: "On Aug. 06, 2017, near Marqadah, al-Shadadi, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft struck an ISIS truck that had just attacked U.S. forces with rockets. While the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1336

Location

حي الاماسي, Al Amassi, Raqqa, Syria
Two adult male civilians and up to two children were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their home in Raqqa’s al Amassi neighbourhood, local media reported. In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: "Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS headquarters multistory building. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed and two civilians…

Summary

Published
6 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
0–5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident