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

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1313

Location

مقلة, Muqla, banks of Euphrates, Raqqa, Syria
Several civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on boats on the Euphrates river near the village of Makla, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame for the casualties. According to Sound and Picture, “Coalition aircraft targeted civilian boats along the banks of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1314

Location

الرقة‎, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was named as killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike by multiple local sources. According to Palmyra Revolution Coordination Committee, “Mr. Abdul Razzaq Ali Kanawi, displaced from the city of Palmyra, was killed when his house was targeted by aircraft of the international coalition in the city of Raqqa yesterday. Some of his…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1315

Location

حي التوسعية, Al Tawwassoui'ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Eleven members of the same family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their home in Raqqa’s Al Tawwassoui'ya neighbourhood, according to local media. AlRaqqa Ahlna, Sohaeb Al Haskwi and Haska Rasd reported the deaths of 10 civilians, naming 3. However, the majority of sources put the death toll at 12: Haitham Khaldun Sheikh Makhlaf,…

Summary

Published
1 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–14
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1316

Location

الكشكية, Al Kashkiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between one and four civilians including a child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Kashkiya village, Deir Ezzor, according to local sources. 7al reported: “Abu Ayman al-Ali, an activist from the village of Deir al-Zour, told al-Hal, said that ‘raids by international coalition forces targeted civilian houses in the center of al-Kashkiya town.”…

Summary

Published
1 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CI820a

Location

near Qadiya, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the US-led Coalition admitted on Sep. 27, 2018 that it had killed two civilians and injured two others. The monthly civilian casualty report read: "August 1, 2017, near Qadiya, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike two civilians were injured and two civilians were unintentionally killed." The Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CI819

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, market, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local press sources said that civilians were killed or injured by airstrikes on the market in Al Qaim district west of Anbar. According to Iraq Akhbar, A number of civilians were killed and wounded by a bombing by international coalition aircraft of the market district of Qaim, west of Anbar. Local sources said that the…

Summary

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