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

3 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1325

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an event not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition self-reported a civilian harm event in July 2018, noting that it had unintentionally killed a civilian on a motorbike in the city centre of Raqqa. According to the report, “August 3, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria via self-report. During a strike on reported Daesh fighting positions,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1322a RS2380

Location

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was killed in an airstrike in Zor Shamer, Raqqa, according to local media sources - though it was not clear who was responsible. Most sources attributed responsibility to Russian forces, though one reported that Coalition aircraft conducted the strike. DeirEzzor24, reported that "Coalition aircraft targeted the area south of Hsaywa, Zor Shamer". Syrian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1317

Location

الطب الحديث, Al Toubb al Hadith, Raqqa, Syria
Six people; two women, two children and two men were killed when the building they were sheltering in was hit in an airstrike in Al Toubb al Hadith, Raqqa, a joint Amnesty International/Airwars report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality" found after conducting field research on the ground. Additionally, several local sources echoed the death…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1319

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died in a Coalition artillery bombardment or a mortar strike by the SDF in Raqqa, according to local media. Ar Raqqa Al a’ahlya reported that the victim bled to death from a shrapnel wound. Most sources blamed artillery for the man’s death. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1320

Location

مشفى عائشة البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Aisha Hospital, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three people were killed and several more wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the cafeteria of Aisha hospital in Abu Kamal, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to whether the three victims were members of ISIS or civilians. Euphrates Post, Shaam and Shbab Post said that they were from ISIS, but sources…

Summary

Published
2 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1321

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One child was killed by artillery shelling of Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa

Summary

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