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

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CI794

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq
Local press and resident sources said that dozens to hundreds of civilians, including the bodies of ‘hundreds of children and women’, were under the rubble in various areas in Old Mosul. Heavy shelling and air strikes had allegedly hit their homes. Local media provided striking accounts of streets filled with dead bodies, and called for…

Summary

Published
30 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–100
Civilians reported injured
24–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1125

Location

الرافقة, Ar Rafiqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian during an attack on ISIS heavy equipment. The location given is in the residential neighbourhood of Ar Rafiqah, in the old city of Raqqa. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted, "During a strike on an ISIS heavy…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1126

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported. All three sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are presently known. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as "non-credible", stating…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1127

Location

ابو حمام, Abu Hammam, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Abu Hammam in Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. All five sources which reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1121

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported. No further details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1122

Location

الطوب, Al Toob, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed and a number of others were injured in airstrikes on Al Toob in Deir Ezzor, however responsibility for the strike was contested. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that the Coalition was responsible, whereas Baladi News alleged that Syrian government planes were to blame. The remaining six sources…

Summary

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