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

21 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1248

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Saraya government building, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported airstrikes on the “Martyrs Affairs Office” – seized by IS- opposite the old Saraya building and “oil burners in Badia Drenge and Tijana” – though no information was given on civilian casualties. Step News Agency, Jisirtv and DPN reported that these were Coalition strikes. Euphrates Post didn’t identify the warplanes responsible, though…

Summary

Published
21 July 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1241

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A 21 year-old man was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, according to local sources. Al Hasaka Rasd, Soheb1700 and Raqqa24 all blamed the Coalition for his death.

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1242

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A female identified as the daughter of Khalil Ibrahim al Khalif was killed following “shelling of the city” of Raqqa, local sources reported. All three sources did not specify what type of shelling took place. The slain victim was reportedly displaced from Al Abu Amer in the eastern outskirts of Deir Ezzor, before coming to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1243

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
At least 11 people, including children, were killed and a number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Ma’dan in eastern Raqqa governorate. However it was contested as to who was responsible. Step News Agency alleged that the Coalition had caused the deaths, while an ISIL propaganda video alleged that Russia was to blame. The…

Summary

Published
20 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1238

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A woman was killed and her son was injured following alleged SDF shelling into Raqqa, local sources reported. The deceased woman was identified as the wife of Hamza Mohammed al Fahd and her injured son was identified as Mohammed al Fahd. Al Sokhna claimed Mrs al Fahd’s unnamed daughter was injured. Both sources alleged that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1239

Location

البوليل, Al Bouliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post reported that a civilian male was killed in airstrikes on the town of Al Bouliyal in Deir Ezzor, however it did not make any claims with regards to who was responsible. Alaraby said that people “were killed by artillery and air raids on the town of al-Bolil and Deir al-Zour” but gave no…

Summary

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