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

2 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1141

Location

الصور, Al Soor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least one family and as many as 50 civilians were reportedly killed, said to be family members of ISIL fighters, following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Soor to the north east of Deir Ezzor. The airstrikes were said to be in the telephone exchange area of the city, a number of local sources reported.…

Summary

Published
2 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–50
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1142

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least two civilians and as many as three were killed following airstrikes on Hatla in Deir Ezzor. However it was not clear who was responsible. Three sources alleged that Russian warplanes were responsible. Meanwhile five sources reported the airstrike without apportioning blame, and so the Coalition could not be definitively ruled out. Free Deir…

Summary

Published
2 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1131

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilian males from one family were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported. Five of the seven sources which reported the deaths alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1132

Location

حي الدرعية, Al Dariiya, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian female was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported. Three of the seven sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible, with the remaining four sources blaming unspecified shelling.

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1133

Location

البوسرايا, Busaraya, Raqqa, Syria
A girl was reportedly killed by shells fired into Busraya, with the Coalition or the US-backed SDF are believed to be responsible. Although reportage suggested the strike occurred on the 1t of July, Amnesty field notes suggested that it happened between the beginning of June and the end of July. According to the Amnesty and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1144

Location

بناء الحريري, Al-Hariri Building, Raqqa, Syria
Civilians from three families were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes which hit the Al Hariri building, near the Al Ateeq Mosque in Raqqa. All ten sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Despite this the Coalition has responded that there was no civilian harm as a result of Coalition action. "Thorough review…

Summary

Published
1 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident