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

14 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1205

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported airstrike near the Crescent hospital in al Baghouz. According to Euphrates Post, a girl was killed and a woman and old man injured. The source didn’t identify the culprit. Other sources reported Coalition strikes in the vicinity but did not report civilian casualties. According to Shaam News the target of the attack…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 July 2017

Incident Code

CI811

Location

Mosul, Nabi Jarjis, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of ten civilians in an event in the Nabi Jaris neighbourhood of Old Mosul. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS tunnel system, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed." Coordinates supplied by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1195

Location

حي الدرعية, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Sharqiya Voice reported that “shelling targeted several neighborhoods of Raqqa in Tal Al Obeid Street, Saif Al Dawla Street, Al Dar’iya neighborhood, Al Khader Pharmacy, Basil Street, Al Quwatli Street and the edges of al Wadi street and al Fouroussiya” resulting in several civilian casualties and a number of others wounded, however further details were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1196

Location

حارة ﺟﺎﻣﻊ ﺍﻟﺒﺼﺮﺍﻭﻱ, al Basrawo mosque area, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed by a declared Coalition bombing of the Al Basrawo neighbourhood of Raqqa on July 13, 2017, local sources reported. Most sources who reported the incident alleged that the US-backed SDF militias were responsible. But there was confusion: Alraqqa Ahluna initially said the victim died in an “SDF bombing”, but subsequently…

Summary

Published
13 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1224

Location

هشام عبد الملك, Ar Raqqah: Hisham Bin Abd Al Malek neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
At least 9 and up to 15 members of the Salamah family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Hisham Bin Abd al Malek neghbourhood. Local media reported this incident in July of 2017: According to Ahmad al Shibli, Marwan Al Salama and his entire family of nine people were killed when a Coalition…

Summary

Published
17 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1197

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A girl was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on her home in Raqqa, local sources reported. She was reportedly displaced from Tal Abyad in northern Raqqa governorate. All four sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are presently known.

Summary

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