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

30 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1300

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
The child, Yousef Haj Abdullah, was named as a victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, by multiple local sources. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1301

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians died in air and artillery or mortar shelling in Raqqa, according to local sources. Alraqqa Ahlna  listed two civilians as killed by air and artillery strikes. Mohammed Ali Swaid was named as dead “after being hit by a mortar shell from SDF militia on al Thakana”, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. Airwars…

Summary

Published
30 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1299

Location

الرقة‎, near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Coalition officials told Airwars that their report…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1295

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
According to Euphrates Post, two civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah. Hasaka Marsad also named these two victims and blamed the Coalition for their deaths. This event might or might not be related to the two events that the Coalition has admitted responsibility for — see S1138b and S1138c below. In their…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 July 2017

Incident Code

CI816

Location

عنه, Anah, Gas station and ice factory, Al Anbar, Iraq
Residents and press sources said that heavy airstrikes targeted the ice factory and gas station in Anah district west of Anbar and some reports said a number of civilians were killed or injured. According to Yaqein, the aerial bombardment targeted the ice factory and the gas station in the Ana district, west of Anbar. The…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1296

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six civilians died and 10 more were wounded in airstrikes on Abu Kamal, according to local sources. While the majority of reports blamed the US-led Coalition for the airstrikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it was unclear whether the Coalition or Russia were responsible. The Coalition later confirmed having unintentionally killed three…

Summary

Published
29 July 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident