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

Search

2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1188

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An elderly civilian male, was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. Both sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible. All sources reported that the US-led Coalition was responsible.

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CI808

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Raqqa, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of three civilians in an event near Mosul, Iraq. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally injured." Coalition officials indicated that this is…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1182

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Dream Mall, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least three civilians, including two children, were reported killed and dozens more injured in airstrikes on Al Mayadin, but it was contested who was responsible. Euphrates Post described the incident as a “massacre” and reported that “scores” of people were killed, but was the only source to suggest more than three people were killed.…

Summary

Published
10 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1183

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed and several others injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes or artillery fire, according to local sources. The victims identified were reportedly from the same family as others who were injured, which was said to be displaced from Palmyra.

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1184

Location

الطيار, Al Tayyar, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian family were casualties of alleged Coalition air or artillery strikes on the Al Tayyar area of Raqqa, local sources reported. The head of the family was identified by a number of sources, who reported that he and his entire family were killed but did not identify an exact number. Smart News Agency was the…

Summary

Published
10 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2017

Incident Code

CI806

Location

Mosul, Nabi Jarjis, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition lated confirmed the death of a civilian in the Nabi Jaris neighbourhood, Mosul. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS headquarters structure and explosives storage facility, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Coordinates supplied by Coalition…

Summary

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