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

15 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1209

Location

المستشفى الوطني, National Raqqa hospital, Raqqa, Syria
One man and his son died in an airstrike near the National Raqqa hospital, local media said. According to Smart, “The aircraft bombed a car transporting water near the National Hospital, killing a man and his son who were inside the vehicle”.

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 July 2017

Incident Code

CI812

Location

الميدان, Al Maydan, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
A number of local sources reported that 300 civilians were killed and 400 more were wounded – said to be mostly women and children – following alleged Coalition and Iraqi government airstrikes in the Al Maydan neighbourhood of Mosul. All four sources who reported the deaths alleged that both the Coalition and the Iraqi government…

Summary

Published
15 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
300
Civilians reported injured
400
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 July 2017

Incident Code

CI813

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources reported that 13 civilians were killed in addition to 8 ISIL fighters following alleged Coalition airstrikes on residential areas within the district of Al Qa’im in western Anbar Province, next to the Iraqi-Syrian border. All three sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details were available.

Summary

Published
15 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1206 RS2341

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, al Arabaeen street and other areas, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least ten civilians – including at least one woman and two children – were killed and dozens more were wounded following airstrikes near two schools in the city of Al Mayadeen. However, local sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. Both Russia and the US-led Coalition were reportedly responsible. Syrian Network for Human…

Summary

Published
15 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1203

Location

حي التوسعية, Al Tawaswi’ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that a number of civilians died in artillery and mortar shelling or Raqqa’s Al Tawaswi’ya neighbourhood – though it was unclear whether the Coalition or the SDF were responsible. Usama Mulla Mohammed put the death toll at two. Other sources blamed SDF artillery and mortar shells. Airwars understands that only the Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1204

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Seven civilians died and two or more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Salhiya in the Deir Ezzor countryside, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. 1996aboadel and RFS pointed towards Russia. However, Baladi blamed the regime. Al Hall said that…

Summary

Published
14 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident