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

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1231

Location

السبخة, Sabka, Raqqa, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed and a number of others were injured following alleged Coalition artillery fire on Sabka. Baladi News and Al Etihad Press reported that the four were killed after their car was targeted while traveling on the road which connects Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. Three of the six sources which…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1232

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of an elderly civilian male in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1233

Location

نزلة شحادة, Nazlat Shahada, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 13 civilians including between 1 and 5 children from two families died in Coalition airstrikes on Nzalat Shahada, according to local media. 11 of the victims were reportedly from the same family. A year later the US-led alliance accepted responsibility for the deaths. According to the joint Amnesty/Airwars report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–13
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1234 RS2351

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
As many as 12 civilians died and dozens were injured in airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on Ma’adan, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia or event the Syrian regime were responsible. Baladi blamed artillery for the injury of “a number of civilians”, however, other sources –…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1235

Location

شارع سيف الدولة , Ar Raqqah: Saif Al Dawla street/neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Ten civilians including two women and six children from two families died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Saif al Dawla, according local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported the “massacre of two families, killing 10 people, in a Coalition strike in the neighbourhood of Saif Al Dawla at midnight last night.” It…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1221

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
The civilian male was killed by shelling in Raqqa by three local sources. Al Hassaka Rasd said the was killed “as a result of artillery shelling originating from the Kurdish units”, however Airwars understands that only the Coalition has artillery in Raqqa. Some caution is required, however, as the victim’s name is very similar to…

Summary

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