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

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1222

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of a girl in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1223

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported the death of one civilian following an “aerial bombardment”. It didn’t say who was responsible. The victim was also named by Raqqa rwb , however, the report was a carbon copy of the one published by RBSS.

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1226

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Accoridng to RFS, three members of the Awwad family died in artillery shelling on Raqqa. Raqqa rwb and Q_Alenzy named an adult male as a killed and it was reported that his wife was injured. The sources blamed the Coalition. According to Ahmad Shibli, there were more than 25 cases of leg and hand amputation…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1227

Location

حقل العمر النفطي, Al Omar oil field, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to Euphrates Post, “violent raids by a warplane a short while ago targeted the perimeter of al Omar oil field, al Tayyana and Daranj deserts and primitive oil burners and oil tankers, resulting in huge explosions and a fire. The initial death toll is two oil workers from the neighborhood of al Boukhmis neighborhood…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1216 RS2346

Location

الكشكية, Al Kashkiya, school building, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Seven civilians were killed - including five civilians believed to be from one family - and a number of others were injured in airstrikes on the village of Al Kashkiya in eastern Deir Ezzor.  However it was contested as to who was responsible. Four sources – Radio al Kul, Micro News, Smart News Agency and…

Summary

Published
17 July 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1217

Location

جديد عكيدات, Jadid akeidat, near water plant, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported the death of two civilians and the injuring of several more in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Jadid Akeidat village. According to RFS, two male civilians died in the Coalition strike and two other civilians were wounded. The source said that the strike hit a civilian house on the outskirts of the…

Summary

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