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

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1168

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian males were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes which hit their home in Raqqa, local sources reported. Three of the six sources which reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Ammesty field research reported that "Two members of the al-Ali, family were killed in a first strike, while sheltering on the ground…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1169

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two unnamed children died in alleged Coalition airstrike and/or artillery strikes on Raqqa, according to local media. All sources blamed the Coalition, with Al Hasaka Rasd referring specifically to “US air strikes and artillery”. The original source of the claim may have been ISIS. As Sharqiya Post noted, “Ar Raqqa Daesh announced the martyrdom of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1170

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria
One to three civilians were killed in alleged artillery shelling on the Alhadiqa Al Baysa’a neighbourhood of Raqqa (or possibly Tawaso’eya), local media reported – though one report said that one victim was shot. A civilian male was named as a victim in multiple reports. Sources alleged that he was killed in SDF shelling, however,…

Summary

Published
7 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1171

Location

شارع تل ابيض, Tal Abyad Street, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in Tal Abyad Street, according to local media. Baladi said that one person died in artillery shelling on Tal Abyad Street in the center of the city. It is understood by Airwars that only the Coalition has artillery in Raqqa. However, other sources referred to a rocket attack, with Sharqia…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1172

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
According to Euphrates Post on July 9th, “five civilians from one family, from Deir Ezzor, died and a number were wounded following air strikes by the international Coalition on the city of Raqqa two days ago.” Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently also reported the death of the al Sayyed family of five in a “bombing”…

Summary

Published
7 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1202

Location

حي الدرعية, Al Dariya, Raqqa, Syria
One girl died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s al Dari’ya neighbourhood. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, “the international Coalition targeted the Al-Thlaji house in al Dari’ya neighborhood next to Al-Hamzawi Hotel west of the city center. The raid led to the death of Manaf Ismail Al-Thlaji’s wife and the wounding of…

Summary

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