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

CS1218

Location

أبوحمام, Abu Hamam, school and residential buildings, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that three civilians died in an alleged Coaltion airstrike which hit al Amin School in Abu Haman. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the death toll included three women. All sources pointed towards the Coalition. RFS said that “a warplane that likely belonging to the International Alliance targeted a school…

Summary

Published
17 July 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1219

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that a civilian male was killed 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

CS1220

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A one-year-old child was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, according to local sources. The date of death may have been earlier, with Abu Muaz al Raqqa tweeting that the child died “as a result of bombing coalition aircraft on the city of Raqqa several days ago.”

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1210

Location

الرقة‎, multiple neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria
Seven civilians died and two others were injured, in addition to the death of four members of IS, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to the Smart News Agency. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
16 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1211 RS2342

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, multiple locations, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 11 and 14 civilians – including several women and children – were killed and dozens others were wounded in airstrikes on Al Mayadin. However it was contested as to who was responsible. Sources either blamed Russia, the Syrian regime or the US-led Coalition. More than five sources made no claims with regards to responsibility. However,…

Summary

Published
16 July 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
11–14
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1212 RS2343

Location

الصبحة, Al Subha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three to six civilians died in airstrikes on al Subha village, local media reported, though it was unclear whether the Coalition or Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “five people were martyred and three of them were charred, as a result of shelling by aircraft. It’s…

Summary

Published
16 July 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident