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
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CI802

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
A number of local sources claimed that more than 1,000 civilians had been killed or wounded over a week-long period as a result of alleged Coalition and Iraqi government bombardment of Old Mosul over recent days. However further details were sparse. Iraq News Center reported that the number of civilian casualties buried under the rubble…

Summary

Published
7 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
300
Civilians reported injured
700
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1165b

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one man was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes 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. The report stated that "Ala…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6–24 July, 2017

Incident Code

CS1265a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes 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 Amnesty report,…

Summary

Published
24 July 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1164

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An elderly civilian male was reportedly killed in artillery fire on Raqqa, multiple local sources reported. Sources alleged that the SDF was responsible. However Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery, therefore must be responsible if reporting is correct. According to the Smart News Agency, “activists said that the SDF, which surrounds…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1165

Location

مدرسة خالد بن وليد, Nr Khaled bin Waled school, Raqqa, Syria
A young civilian male was reportedly killed in artillery fire on Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources reported that he was killed in artillery fire by “YPG militias” which struck his house near Khaled bin al-Walid School. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery therefore they must be responsible if reporting is…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1165a

Location

الفردوس, near Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Raqqa. In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted the following: "the Coalition engaged ISIS fighters and an unmanned aerial vehicle launch site. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the launch site…

Summary

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