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

CS1192

Location

الرقة‎: منطقة مفرق الحصيوة, Al Hassawiya Junction (unknown location), Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed by an “SDF mortar shell” in the Al Hassiyawa junction area, according to Sharqiya Voice and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1194a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strike in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. According to the report, "Abdallah…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1185

Location

قصر البنات, Raqqah, Qasr al Banat, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died in an artillery bombardment of Qasr al Banat, according to local media. Sources said that he died after he sustained an injury in the shelling. According to Jorf News, he died from “internal bleeding”. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CI807

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that 200 homes in Old Mosul to the west of the city were completely destroyed with many of their residents presumed dead following the intense fighting of the previous weeks. Hossam al Din al Abbar, a member of the Ninveh Provincial Council, was quoted by several sources as saying: The civil defence…

Summary

Published
11 July 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1186

Location

الزيانات, Al Zaynat, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least 11 civilians across three families, including several women and children, were killed and several others were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the ISIL-controlled village of Al Zaynat, to the south of Markada, local sources reported. According to Syrian PC “Media sources in Al-Hasakah, including Al-Khabour, said that the Coalition air force carried…

Summary

Published
11 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1187

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Twenty civilians, including women and children, were killed and 30 more were injured in a series of alleged Coalition airstrikes on Abu Kamal in eastern Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Multiple sources blamed the Coalition, putting death counts at either four or five non-combatants. Euphrates Post also reported that the first strikes at 11am hit…

Summary

Published
11 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident