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

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CI820

Location

تل عفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
According to local sources said that civilians were killed or injured in alleged Coalition and Iraqi force airstrikes on Tal Afar city, west of Mosul. Tal Afar news agency reported that the aerial bombardment has continued in Tal Afar for the third day in a row. Civilians were confirmed dead, and the source said that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1302

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A 14-year-old boy died following an injury sustained in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. Revolution Coordination Committee in Palmyra reported “the martyrdom of the child Mohammed Ali Hassan Taha (14 years old), displaced from Palmyra, died following being injured by a shell from the bombing of the international coalition on the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1303

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death “of the children of ‘Khaled al-Issa‘ by the bombing of the international coalition aircraft on the city of Al-Raqqa.” No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1304 RS2374

Location

قرية الكشمة, Al Kasham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ten civilians were reported injured in airstrikes on Al Kasham village according to local media – though it was unclear who was responsible, with allegations against the Coalition, Russia and the Syrian regime. According to Euphrates Post, one male also died in a Russian strike on the village. The source also named the following two civilians…

Summary

Published
31 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1305 RS2375

Location

العشارة, Al A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were wounded in an airstrike on Al A’shara, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia. According to sources, the residential neighbourhood was struck with cluster bombs - believed to be Russian. Fresh Syria pointed at the Coalition, while…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1306

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Fifteen civilians reportedly died in alleged Coalition and SDF actions at Raqqa, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. No further details are currently available. In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as "non-credible", stating that the allegation provided…

Summary

Published
31 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident