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

31 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1307

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died in Raqqa, according to local media, though sources were conflicted as to whether he was killed by an SDF sniper or by artillery. Ahmad al Shibli , RBSS and Raqqa Media Center all blamed artillery for his death. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa. However,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1308

Location

دبلان, Dablan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman, the wife of Saleh al-Awaid, died in an airstrike on Dablan, according to local sources. None of the sources apportioned blame. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred only to “warplanes,” while @DeirEzzor24 said the victim died from an injury after a bombing by “military aircraft”. According to Dblan net, cluster bombs were…

Summary

Published
31 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
10–16
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1309 RS2377

Location

دبلان, Dablan, Ta'as, area behind the mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria
More than five civilians were wounded in an airstrike on a water tank behind the mosque in the Ta’as area of Dablan, according to local media – though only once source said that the Coalition was responsible, with others not apportioning blame. According to Euphrates Post, “The military aircraft launched several simultaneous air strikes with…

Summary

Published
31 July 2017
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1310

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to SANA on August 1st, the official Syrian news agency, “US coalition planes killed 60 civilians in raids on villages and towns in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour during the past few hours.” However, Euphrates Post “noted that the news reported by the media of the regime is totally untrue”.

Summary

Published
31 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
60
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2017

Incident Code

CI817

Location

راوة, Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to residents and press, four civilians from the same family were killed in Rawa following an airstrike targeted their house. The sources identified the victim family by name as Jamal Saeed Ali Abu Khalid  None of the sources identified who was responsible for the airstrike.

Summary

Published
30 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2017

Incident Code

CI818

Location

الحويجة, Hawija, Kirkuk, Iraq
Local press sources said that 10 civilians from the same family were killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit their house in the Hawija district on Sunday 30th July. Kawsar Agency and Team of Correspondents said that the family died as a result of US shelling on their home. According to Team of Correspondents,…

Summary

Published
30 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident