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

29 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1297

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On July 29, 2017, several civilians were reportedly wounded in an airstrike on the main road to Al-Mayadin garage, local media reported, though it was unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were responsible for the incident. Radio AlKul reported that “several civilians were injured by flying cluster bombs near the garage in Al Mayadin”.…

Summary

Published
29 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1298

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 to suppress an ISIS defensive fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Coalition officials told Airwars that this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1287

Location

حي الثكنة, Al Thakana, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died in Raqqa’s Al Thaakan neigbourhood – though it was unclear whether Coalition artillery or an SDF mortar were to blame. Ahmad Al Rfaai posted in the on Documentary of victims of Ar Raqqa Facebook group, saying that Haj Ahmad Lyla Salim al-Ali was his grandfather and died in his home after…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1288

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to nine civilians, many from the same family, died in airstrikes which reportedly hit civilian homes in Al Tayba, according to local media. While most sources pointed towards the Coalition, a number did not identify the warplanes responsible, while one report alleged that the Assad regime was to blame. 7al provided the most detail…

Summary

Published
28 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
18–36
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1289

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One named civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a home which had reportedly been seized by ISIS and was being used as a prison, local sources reported. Sources said that the home of Farouq Al-Mashouh was being used as an ISIS prison. Euphrates Post and SHRC named Laith Allawi al-Jabr, one of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1290

Location

غرانيج, Graneej, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians died and several more were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Granejj town, according to local media. While some sources said that there was not yet any news on the death toll, Jisrtv, Syrianpc and Step News Agency were among those who attributed the event to the Coalition, reporting that three non-combatants…

Summary

Published
28 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident