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

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1265b

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition artillery strike in Raqqa. Although Amnesty researched this incident on the ground, Airwars has decided to grade it "weak" due to the depth of material provided. According to the Amnesty report,…

Summary

Published
24 July 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1261

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One male civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike Raqqa, according to local sources. Other reports (apparently drawn from the same source) said as many as 30 prisoners died. All reports blamed the Coalition and said that the victim – who was being detained by IS – died when an IS prison was struck.

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1262 RS2366

Location

الميادين شارع الاربعين, Al Mayadin, Al-Arba’eeb street, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five or six civilians died in airstrikes on Al-Arba’eeb street in Al Mayadin, local media said – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition, of Russia or the Syrian regime. Step News Agency, Almayadeen, Syrianpc and Radioalkul were among the sources that pointed towards the Coalition. Almayadeen…

Summary

Published
24 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1263

Location

الرشاد, Al Hittila, Al Rashad, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post reported the death of one civilian female in an airstrike on Al-Rashad, though it didn’t say who was responsible for her death. Alghad Al Soury blamed “the air force” – usually a reference to regime attacks.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1264

Location

صباح الخير, Sabah Al Kahir, Raqqa, Syria
According to Hasaka Rasd, “Coalition aircraft targeted a motorcycle driven by the young man Hussein al-Hassoun which led to his death, near the village of Sabah al-Alkhair, east of Raqqa, near the administrative border with Deir al-Zour”. Al Raqqa Ahlna also reported the victim’s death, however, the report was a carbon copy of that posted…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1265

Location

سوق المواشي والحبوب, Al Mayadin, Sheep market, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four members of IS died when the car they were in was allegedly struck by the Coalition, local media reported. One source, Fresh Syria, also said that an unspecified number of nearby civilians were wounded in the event. According to Fresh Syria “aircraft of the International Coalition targeted a car, believed to belong to ISIS,…

Summary

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