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

Incident Code

CS1076

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
At least one and as many as 20 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed and others injured following alleged Coalition and SDF shelling in Raqqa. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and others said that the casualties came as a result of more than 80 artillery shells being fired into the city. RBSS…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–20
Civilians reported injured
5–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1077

Location

نهر الفرات, Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian males were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes near the Euphrates River in Raqqa. A number of local sources identified the victims. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that the men were killed in an airstrike on their cars as they tried to retrieve water from the river. Raqqa had been suffering from…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1078

Location

امن الدولة, Amn Al Dawla, Raqqa, Syria
Two local sources named one civilian male as killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Amn Al Dawla area. According to Ahmad al Shibli, the victim was originally from Maskana, east of Aleppo.

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1079

Location

ﻣﻨﻄﻘﺔ ﺍﻟﺘﻮﺳﻌﻴﺔ, Al Tawssi'ya, Raqqa, Syria
According to Al Hassaka rasd, one woman “was killed in artillery shelling that targeted the al Tawssi’ya area in Raqqa city”. Soheb10 also reported her death and likewise blamed “artillery shelling”. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published images reportedly showing “the destruction caused by the international coalition targeting civilian houses in the Al Tawssi’ya neighbourhood”,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1080

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
Two adult civilians died and three children were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ratlah village, according to local media. Al Hassaka Rasd reported that the Coalition struck “the house of Abdul Aziz al-Khamri in Ratlah”. It reported that two civilians died and “three children were slightly injured by the attack”. The victims were…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1081

Location

ﺍﻡ ﺣﻔﻮﺭ, Umm Hfour, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to multiple local sources, “a whole family” died in the village of Umm Hfour in an alleged Coalition airstrike. Hasaka Voice and other sources the victims died “because they were targeted by an air strike by the International Coalition”. The US-led alliance eventually reported strikes in the vicinity that day, suggesting that the cause…

Summary

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