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

26 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1274

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An elderly male was killed following alleged aerial bombardment of Raqqa, according to local media. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1275

Location

دوار الساعة, near Al Sa'a roundabout, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died in an alleged Coalition air or artillery strike on Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. On July 29th, Palmyra Media Centre reported: “Anwar Mohammed Salim was killed several days ago in coalition forces near al Sa’aa roundabout and today the news of his death arrived.” Asfet Al Sahraa, posting in Martyrs…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1276

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Between 29 and 36 civilians died in air and artillery strikes in Raqqa over the previous 24 hours, according to local sources. Most reports blamed the Coalition – though one also said that Russia had carried out strikes in the city. It should be noted that the numbers given in these reports are general numbers…

Summary

Published
26 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
29–36
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1277

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 15 civilians including nine people from the same family died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes near Taybah in Mayadin, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame. The Step News Agency, Smart News Agency and Zamanalwasl were among sources pointing…

Summary

Published
26 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1278

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A number of civilians were reportedly injured following an alleged Coalition airstrike in Abu Kamal in eastern Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. The strike reportedly targeted an ISIL vehicle in Al Bareed Street near the home of Mujheem al Dandal, injuring those nearby. Only one of the four sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible…

Summary

Published
26 July 2017
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1279

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between nine and 11 civilians – many from the same family- died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes on Abu Kamal, local media reported. While most reports pointed towards the US-led Coalition, a number did not identify the warplanes responsible, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it was unclear whether the…

Summary

Published
26 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
12–25
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident