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

4 July 2017

Incident Code

CI801

Location

الميدان, Mosul, Medan, Nineveh, Iraq
On January 13th, a local monitor reported the deaths of three civilians and 3 injured after their home in Medan, Old Mosul was shelled by an unknown source on July 4th. Mohammed Satter Rejab explains that his mother, sister and her husband were killed in an airstrike and he was himself injured along with his…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1152

Location

ابوحامضة, Abu Hamda, Al Hassakah, Syria
Seven civilians were killed as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on the village of Abu Hamda in Al Hasaka, local sources reported. Al Hasaka Center Media reported that the airstrikes targeted the house of Ahmad al Alawi and that those killed were internally displaced refugees from the villages of Al Dhib and al Thaweebah.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1153

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male identified as killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, Ahmed al Shibli reported. It is possible that Mr al Zaher may have been killed or injured in an earlier incident on June 28th where brothers with the same surname were killed, but that his name was not identified until now. No further…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1151a

Location

الحسينية, Al Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Coalition airstrikes allegedly struck the towns of Al Husseiniya, Baghiliya, Mara'iyah around the same time. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that International Coalition warplanes shelled areas in Al-Husseiniya, killing two men in in Al-Husseiniya and wounding an unknown number of others. Not other details are known. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CI800

Location

دگة بركة, Mosul, Dakat Barka, Nineveh, Iraq
A local monitor reported the deaths of four named civilians after their home in Dakkat Barka was shelled by an unknown source. Mosul Ateka reported “The death of Mus’ab Talal al-Qasab (the son of Mukhtar Daga Baraka), his son, his sister and his sister’s daughter. Their bodies are still under the rubble, while the rest…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1145

Location

كسرة سرور, Kasrat Srour, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian males were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Kasrat Sarour to the south of Raqqa, local sources reported. Almost all sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

Summary

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