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

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1092

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was allegedly killed in a Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, Ahmad al Shibli reported. No further details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1093

Location

ﻛﺴﺮﺓ ﻋﻔﻨﺎﻥ, Kasrat Afnan, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male and one child were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airsrikes on Kasrat Afnan, local sources reported. All four sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

Summary

Published
26 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1094

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 42 and 100 civilians who were being detained in an ISIL prison were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on an ISIL base in Al Mayadeen, local sources reported. The Coalition later conceded having killed eight civilians. According to a number of reports, the strikes also allegedly killed between 15 to 20 ISIL members,…

Summary

Published
26 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
42–70
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1095

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Following an earlier bombing of an ISIL prison in Al Mayadin which allegedly killed upwards of 40 people, Coalition aircraft allegedly targeted a nearby site after bodies of the deceased were laid out for families to identify them. No further civilian casualties were reported, however sources said that the ultimate death toll from both incidents…

Summary

Published
26 June 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1096

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a third event reported in Al Mayadin on June 26th, one female civilian was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory reported: “The SOHR also observed airstrikes, most likely carried out by the International Coalition warplanes, that targeted one of the headquarters of Suqur Al-Sahara…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1097

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Al Samsam, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians in an event near Al Mayadin, Syria. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS IED factory, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally injured.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location…

Summary

Published
26 June 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident