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

CS1280

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian near Abu Kamal, Syria. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS-held building, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Since the target of the strike was a building,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1270

Location

الفردوس, Fardous, Raqqa, Syria
A girl was killed following alleged artillery fire into the Al Fardous district of Raqqa, a number of local sources reported. The majority of the sources that reported the incident alleged that SDF militias were responsible, however Airwars is aware that only the Coalition has access to artillery fire therefore if this munition was in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1271

Location

ساحة شماس, Shammas Square, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Shammas Square in Raqqa. All sources blamed the Coalition for the victims’ deaths. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1272

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One woman died in an alleged Coalition air or artillery strike on Raqqa, local media reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, A civilian female was killed after Coalition warplanes allegedly “fired missiles” into the city of Raqqa, However, Lwaa Usod Al Kalamon referred to her as “a daughter of the city of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1273

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that 18 civilians had died and up to 50 had been wounded in the last 48 hours – however, sources were conflicted as to whether the deaths were caused by the US-led Coalition or Russia. It should also be noted that these are general numbers and Airwars has not yet been able…

Summary

Published
25 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
18
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1266

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of one woman and the injuring of her child in an alleged Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling in Raqqa – though one source said that she died in shelling by ISIS. According to Revolution Coordination Committee in Palmyra “the young woman Khadija Nasreddin Fahad Al-A’mawi, died as a result of…

Summary

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