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

5 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1162

Location

دلحة وكسرة محمد الآغا, Dahla and Kasrat Muhammed al Agha, Raqqa, Syria
Sharqiya Voice reported that a “number” of civilians were injured following ‘SDF artillery fire’ – which would most likely have been a Coalition action – on the villages of Dahla and Kasrat Muhammed al Agha in Raqqa. Other sources – Newsjorf and Baladi – reported that the victims had been wounded as a result of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1163

Location

حرير حاتم, Hareer Hatem, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to eight civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes which struck a house in the village of Hareer Hatem, north of Markada in the Al Hasaka governorate, according to local sources. A single source – Jisr TV – said the morning strike had injured three children. All sources blamed…

Summary

Published
5 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1154

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed ‘along with his entire family’ in alleged Coalition airstrikes, local sources reported. The two sources reporting the incident, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Hasaka111, both alleged that the Coalition was responsible. In what may be the same or a separate event, Sharqiyas reported that “3 civilians were killed and…

Summary

Published
4 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1155

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
A woman was reportedly killed during the SDF’s invasion of Ratla, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported. However no further details were given. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: "After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1157

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported. Both sources who reported the death alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

4–5 July, 2017

Incident Code

CS1158

Location

تل الجاير, Tall al-Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least 11 people and as many as 15, including three children and two women, were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the village of Tall al-Jayer, local sources reported. Several described the deaths as a “massacre”. Two unidentified people were also reported killed not including the named civilians listed below. All nine sources reporting the incident…

Summary

Published
4 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11–15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident