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

19 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1240

Location

الجميلي, Ar Raqqah: Jumaili neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
A father and a son were reported killed in the Al Jumeila neighbourhood of Raqqa, with sources indicating that Coalition artillery fire was likely responsible. Four sources – Raqqa Ahluna, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Baladi News and @Soheb1700 – alleged that SDF artillery fire was responsible. However Airwars is aware that the SDF…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1236 RS2350

Location

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 22 civilians including as many as 11 children died in airstrikes on Zor Shamer, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. There were no reports of injured civilians. @eldorar, Syrian free army, Ahmad Shibli and the Smart News Agency pointed…

Summary

Published
19 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–22
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1237 RS2353

Location

قرية الجبلي, Al Jabli, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male and a female were killed following airstrikes in the Al Jabli village in Raqqa governorate. However, it was contested as to who was responsible, with some sources blaming Russia, while others blamed the US-led Coalition. Al Sabkha reported on the "martyrdom of the sister Khadija Yousef Al-Hamoud Al-Akla was resident in her…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1228

Location

صبيخان, Sabikan, car, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A father and his young son were killed and a number of other civilians wounded after an airstrike hit the man’s pick-up truck in Sabikhan in Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. However it was contested who was responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Al Hasaka Rasd also reported that the man’s childwas killed…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1229 RS2349

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
Three people were reportedly wounded following airstrikes in Ma’dan on the eastern border of Raqqa governorate. However it was contested as to who was responsible. One source, Shaam News Network, claimed that the airstrikes caused a “massacre” and that 12 civilians were killed. However it was at odds with nine other sources which reported the…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–12
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1230

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A number of sources shared images and videos documenting an alleged white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition and reported that a “several” civilians were wounded and killed. Eldorar News claimed that up to 20 civilian were killed, but was the only source to go into further detail about civilian casualties. Hadi Al Abdullah…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–20
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident