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

CS1070

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Ar Raqqah: Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria
A named civilian female was killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike in the Al Hadaika al Baidaa area of Raqqa, according to local sources. Al-Hassaka Rasd moreover reported that the strike killed "the family of Haj Shorabi al Khamissi along with their neighbours". All identified sources pointed to the Coalition as the culprit. In February…

Summary

Published
24 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1071

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A named civilian male was killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported. Mohab Naser also named the vicitm as killed by “warplanes”, but didn’t identify the culprit. No further details were available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1072

Location

ﻤﺪﺭﺳﺔ ﻋﺪﻧﺎﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺎﻟﻜﻲ, Ar Raqqah (Adnan al Maliki School, unknown location), Raqqa, Syria
Eight civilians, including between five and seven children, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike near Adnan al Maliki School in Raqqa, local sources reported. Al Hasaka Arabea and Step News Agency alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Raqqa Ahluna blamed the US-led Coalition for the death of five children. It reported that their names were…

Summary

Published
24 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1073

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A family, believed to be comprised of five people including two women and one child, were reportedly killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, local sources reported. Both sources which reported the incident, RBSS and Al Ragga Truth, alleged that the Coalition was responsible.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CI784

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an attack on Mosul's Old City. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS mortar position, it was assessed that two civilians, were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1059

Location

منطقة العبارات النهرية, Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria
Three or four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on boats/ferries on the Euphrates River, according to local media. Both Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and Hasaka Rasd blamed the US-led Coalition. Besides the three named victims, there was reportedly another unidentified civilian victim who was working on the river ferry. According to RFS,…

Summary

Published
23 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident