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

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1337

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died in an air or artillery or mortar strike in Raqqa, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame. However, Sharqiya Voice, Al Hadath News Agency and Syrian Press Center said that Shihab al-Din Zidan al-Azzawi died as a result of mortar shelling. Airwars understands that the SDF…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1338

Location

بلدة الكشكية, Kashkiyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Over one hundred child soldiers were killed in an alleged US-led Coalition strike on a training camp of the so-called Islamic State organisation, according to multiple sources. A report by Euphrates Post said, “The coalition warplanes attacked an [ISIS] camp in the town of al-Kashkiya in al-Sha’atiyat district, on the house of Rahim al Thalaj…

Summary

Published
6 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1339

Location

دوار البكرة, Al Mayadin, al Bakra roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian girl  was reported killed after air strikes during the night, near Ali Bin Abi Taleb mosque in Deir Ezzor. At present there is a single allegation in a Smart report against the US-led Coalition, though this is contested in a Facebook post by Free Deir Ezzor which attributed the strikes to “Russian criminal…

Summary

Published
6 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1333

Location

السفارنة, Al-Safarna, Raqqa, Syria
At least five civilians including two children and a woman died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Al-Safarna neighbourhood, according to local media. According to Zamanalwasl, “five civilians from one family, including two children and a woman, were killed as a result of a bombardment by the international coalition forces targeting al-Safarna neighborhood east…

Summary

Published
5 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–10
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1334

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An adult male civilian was reported killed by multiple local sources. The cause of death was somewhat conflicted. Seven of the eleven sources attribute the attack to a landmine, whilst others cited the use of artillery. Airwars understands that only the US-led Coalition have access to artillery in Raqqa. In a post from Ar Raqqa…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1335

Location

الفدغمي, Al Fadaghmi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local media reported that alleged Coalition airstrikes caused widespread destruction of civilian homes and schools in al Fadaghmi village, though there was no information about civilian casualties. According to Arabyoum, “local sources said that Coalition raids caused the destruction of the majority of houses in the village of al-Fidghmi. They targeted it with high-explosive missiles…

Summary

Published
5 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident