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

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1146

Location

الزيانات, Al Zaynat, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to ten civilians belonging to two families, which included six children, were killed and several others were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Ziyanat in the southern Hasaka countryside, local sources reported. Zaman al Wasl reported that the alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted ISIL vehicles near the shop and homes of the two families…

Summary

Published
3 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1147

Location

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Seven civilians were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Marqadah in the southern Al Hasaka area, local sources reported. All three sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible, though it has publicly reported no actions in the vicinity that day. No further details were available. In its own assessment of the claim,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1148

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa, local sources reported. All five sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said that there were a total of 15 strikes in the day. Mr al Anzi was said to be an IDP from…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1149

Location

حي الدرعية, Al Dar'ia, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian brothers were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the Dar'iya neighbourhood of Raqqa, local sources reported. Initially, the strike was reported to have taken place in the Al Badou neighbourhood, but Q_Alenzy corrected this the following day: "Martyrs of the family "Al-Ward" who were martyred by an air strike of the coalition before…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1150

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A “number” of civilians were reportedly killed and wounded in airstrikes on Al Hissan in Deir Ezzor, but it was not definitively clear who was responsible. Shaam News Network and, Euphrates Post both blamed unidentified aircraft. No further details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1151

Location

منطقة الفيلات, al Fillat, Raqqa, Syria
An elderly civilian male was killed as a result of rocket fire on the Al Fillat area, west of Abu al Hayef station in Raqqa. However it was not clear who was responsible. No further details are presently known.  

Summary

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