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

9 July 2017

Incident Code

CI805

Location

الميدان في موصل القديمة, Al Meydan, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Omar al Halbusi, an Iraqi blogger, claimed that roughly 100 civilians were killed and 220 others were injured in alleged artillery bombardment by the Coalition and the Iraqi government on the Al Meydan area of Old Mosul in the two days prior to July 9th. Ninawa Media Center added that 30 families which made up…

Summary

Published
9 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
100
Civilians reported injured
100–220
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1180

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah: Multiple locations, Raqqa, Syria
Thirteen civilians died and 2 more were wounded in alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes on neighbourhoods in Raqqa, local media reported. According to the Smart News Agency, “Coalition aircraft and artillery shelled the neighborhoods of Al Diriyah, Al Nahda, Al Rawda, al Panorama area, Shehata, and Saif al Dawla street near al Dalla roundabout,…

Summary

Published
9 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
22
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1181

Location

الموحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians including four children from the same family died in airstrikes on Mohsen village, according to local media. There were no allegations directly against the Coalition, though some sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Other reports attributed the incident to the Assad regime, while a further source said that it was unclear whether the…

Summary

Published
9 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1173 RS2327

Location

الموحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman possibly died in an airstrike on Mohsen village, according to local media – though it’s currently unclear who was responsible for her death. None of the sources specifically blamed the Coalition, with many referring only to “warplanes” carrying out strikes on the Al-Zaeem roundabout and the perimeter of Al-Wasat School. However, Tt1463000 said…

Summary

Published
8 July 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1174

Location

شارع المنصور, Al Mansour Street, Raqqa, Syria
A young man was reported killed in artillery shelling on Al Mansour Street in Raqqa, according to local media. Sharqiya Voice blamed the SDF, though Airwars understands that only the Coalition has deployed artillery on Raqqa. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: "After review of all available…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1175

Location

ميادين: حي الثورة, Al Mayadin, Al-Thawrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least five civilians but possibly as many as six, including three children, were killed and many others were injured in airstrikes on Al Mayadeen. However it is contested as to who was responsible. Eight of the 16 sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Two sources blamed the Russian government, one…

Summary

Published
8 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident