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

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1193

Location

ﺍﻟﺴﻌﺪﺓ, Al Sa'ada, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians from the same family including a woman and two children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Sa’ada al Gharbiya village, local media reported. According to Al-khabour, “international coalition aircraft launched several raids on the village and one of the rockets hit the house of Mr. Khalaf Hussein al-Jabr, resulting in the…

Summary

Published
12 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1194

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ten civilians reportedly died in up to 25 alleged airstrikes by the Coalition in different areas of Al Mayadin, according to local media. Multiple sources reported Coalition airstrikes in Al Mayadin. Step News Agency reported that the Coalition had intensified strikes on Al Mayadin, but had no reports on the “size of losses”. According to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CI809

Location

القليعات, Al Qaliat, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that despite the recapturing of Mosul by the US-backed Iraqi army, Coalition airstrikes continued to target ISIL positions in Al Qaliat on the outskirts of the city. Ninawa Media Center reported that there were ‘many’ wounded civilians, including women and children, in the area. However, it was not clear airstrikes caused this.…

Summary

Published
12 July 2017
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1189

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their home in Raqqa, according to local sources. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1190

Location

شارع 23 شباط, Sanabel Bakery at Feb 23 Street, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, “a child was killed and his mother was wounded by an artillery bombardment by the Syrian Democratic Forces on the city of Raqqa, northeast of Syria. City. Sources reported that the artillery bombardment occurred on the 23rd of February Street in the center of the city near the Sanabel…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1191

Location

شارع 23 شباط, Feb 23 Street, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of a man with a mental disability. According to Palmyra Media Centre, the victim was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. The source reported on July 12th that “the young man and his brother Marwan have been missing for several days”. However, both Baladi and Jorfnews said that…

Summary

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