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

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1267

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of one male civilian. Reports said he was killed by artillery shelling. It is Airwars understanding that only the Coalition is using artillery in Raqqa. Other sources – all blaming artillery shelling for the man’s death – said that he had been captured by IS and detained for the past…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Codes

RS2367 CS1268a

Location

الخميسية, Al-Khamesiya, Raqqa, Syria
A mother and child were killed in an airstrike on the neighbourhood of Al-Khamesiya. Although sources explain it was a mother and child, the mother was 17 years old, so Airwars have classified her as a child.  Most sources blamed Russian aircraft for this event, however, the wording of a Baladi report suggested that the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1268

Location

حي الدرعية, Dari’eya, Raqqa, Syria
Seven civilians from the same family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Dari’eya neighbourhood. According to Baladi, the victims died when their home was struck by the Coalition. Shahbapress added that an unspecified number of other civilians were injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who also attributed the event to the Coalition,…

Summary

Published
25 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1269

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, near Al-Arbaeen Street, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least five civilians and possibly dozens more were killed and more than 17 wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Mayadin, according to local sources. 7al.net reported: “Saad al-Hamad, a resident of the city of Al-Mayadeen, told Al-Hilal’s website that the international coalition aircraft carried out more than four raids in the center of the…

Summary

Published
25 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–24
Civilians reported injured
17
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1259

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an airstrike on Raqqa according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. Ahmad Shibli, Hasaka Rasd and @alhasakaalhadth blamed the Coalition for the victims death. However, according to Baladi, he was killed in a Russia strike. This…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1260

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of a civilian male, who it was reported was displaced from Palymyra, following an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. Mohannad Al Hamad confirmed his uncle’s death on Facebook.

Summary

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