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

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1134

Location

حي المشلب, Al Mashlab, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed following airstrikes into Raqqa, local sources reported, however it was not clear who was responsible. He was reportedly from the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of the city. All five sources who reported the incident did not make any claims as to who was responsible for the airstrikes. However, only the Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1135

Location

شارع مدرسة حميدة, near Hamida School, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male who initially survived an alleged Coalition white phosphorus attack on 1 July in the neighbourhood of Hamida School in Raqqa reportedly died of his injuries on July 16th. Initial images of his injuries near the time of the attack showed he suffered from severe burns and images which appear to be taken…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1136

Location

الحصين, Hossain, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A family of five or six, including three or four children, were killed following Coalition airstrikes on Al Hossain in Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. The event was later reported to be likely either a French or Belgian airstrike - though the United States subsequently accepted blame. The Syrian Network initially put the death toll…

Summary

Published
1 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1144a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was reportedly to be killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes 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…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1137 RS2313a

Location

المجاوده, Majawdeh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and a number of others were injured following airstrikes on Majawdeh, roughly 85km southeast of Deir Ezzor. However responsibility was contested. The victim was identified by a number of sources, which also reported that his wife and daughter were injured. The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that the wife…

Summary

Published
1 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1138

Location

البوليل, Buleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A 12-year-old girl  was killed following an airstrike on Al Buleil to the east of Deir Ezzor. However it was not clear who was responsible. The eight sources reporting the incident did not make any allegations as to who was responsible. Euphrates Post reported that the airstrike took place near the Abu Dilu petrol station,…

Summary

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