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

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1074

Location

الجسر العتيق, Jisir Qadim (Old Bridge), Raqqa, Syria
Smart News Agency reported that “nine civilians were killed and wounded in an aerial bombardment by the international coalition near the old bridge (Jisir Qadim) south of the city of Raqqa, northeast of Syria, as the “Syrian Democratic Forces” advanced to points in the city, a private source told SMART Saturday. “The source said that…

Summary

Published
24 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1075

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Ma'adan, Raqqa, local sources reported. Euphrates Post and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently identified the victim by name. Al Ragga Truth reported that a total of 15 strikes took place and several sources shared images of some of the destruction – which included the…

Summary

Published
24 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CI785

Location

Mosul, Mosque of Abdul Rahman bin Auf, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Mosul, Iraq. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS artillery position located inside a mosque, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1156

Location

منطقة مدرسة خديجة, Khadija School area, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed by Coalition airstrikes which hit his home in the Al Dar’iya neighbourhood of Raqqa, local sources reported. Two children who lived opposite the victim were also wounded in the raid. The alliance later accepted responsibility for the death. The incident occurred between 12 and 1 pm, according to local media…

Summary

Published
24 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CI786

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that 25 civilians were killed and others were injured as a result of airstrikes hitting four houses in Old Mosul. Three houses were located in Al-Farouk Street, near the electricity generator of Mohammed Al-Durra, and a fourth house was hit in the Al-Makawin area. Khudash Mustfa said on Facebook that the international…

Summary

Published
24 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
20–25
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1069

Location

حي الدرعية, Dari'ya, Raqqa, Syria
One named civilian female was killed in the Al Dari’ya neighbourhood of Raqqa after a mortar shell struck her home, local sources reported. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the SDF for her death. According to Baladi, “two women were killed by artillery shelling of the Qusd militia on the area of the White…

Summary

Published
24 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident