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

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1282a

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Seven civilians died in air or artillery or mortar shelling of Raqqa, according to local media – though it was unclear who was responsible for their deaths. However, Hasaka Rasd also reported that mortars fell on Raqqa neighbourhoods on this day, meaning that these deaths may have been caused by SDF actions, for although Airwars…

Summary

Published
27 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CI787

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that at least 90 civilians were killed and injured as a result of ongoing fighting and shelling in Old Mosul, especially in the vicinity of the Al-Nouri Mosque and the destroyed Hadba Minaret. It is presently unclear which parties were responsible. Yaqein agency reported that 71 civilians died, and others were wounded.…

Summary

Published
27 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
71
Civilians reported injured
19
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1088

Location

فندق الحمزاوي بالقرب من الجسر الجديد, near the new bridge, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 14 civilians were reportedly killed in or near the Al Hamwazi hotel near Raqqa’s new bridge, however it was not clear who was responsible. Two sources, Tal Abyad and Eye on Raqqa, alleged that the deaths were caused by mines that were detonated in the hotel by SDF militias and their reporting was…

Summary

Published
26 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1089

Location

حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria
Six or more civilians were reportedly killed alongside members of ISIL in the Al Rumaila neighbourhood of Raqqa following artillery fire allegedly carried out by the US-backed SDF militia or the Coalition. Smart News Agency alleged that the SDF was responsible. However Airwars understands that the militia does not have artillery capability and that if…

Summary

Published
26 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1090

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported. No further details were available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1091

Location

نهر الفرات, Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria
At least five civilian males and as many as seven were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes near the Euphrates River in Raqqa. Local sources reported that the men were killed in airstrikes targeting their cars as they tried to retrieve water from the river. Raqqa has been suffering from intermittent and recurring water outages.…

Summary

Published
26 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident