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

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1067

Location

ابو كمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post reported that a number of civilians alongside members of ISIL were killed following airstrikes in Deir Ezzor, near the “car exhibition area”, the Yamamah school and ISIL’s armoury near the Alkhabra Company. Responsibility for the attack was not apportioned by the source. Other sources reported Coalition strikes in the vicinity of the school.…

Summary

Published
23 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1068

Location

الطواطحة, Tawatha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One man was reportedly wounded after a water tanker in Al Tawatha village near Abu Kamal in the east of Deir Ezzor was allegedly struck by a Coalition airstrike. The man was said to be injured in the leg due to shrapnel exploding off the tanker. According to Baladi News, “Coalition aircraft targeted a pipeline…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CI782

Location

الساعة, Mosul, Al Saaha, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources and residents reported that five civilians from one Kurdish family were killed after Coalition airstrikes hit their house in Al Saaha neighbourhood near the al Nouri Mosque in Old Mosul.  The event was later admitted by both the Coalition and US forces. The five died when a missile or bomb reportedly destroyed the…

Summary

Published
23 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CI783

Location

Mosul, junction of Al Farouq and Al Makkawi streets, 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 artillery position, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1062

Location

شارع ال ١٦ في حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria
Seven or eight civilians including women and children from the same family died in an alleged Coalition artillery on 16th Street in Raqqa’s Rumaila neighbourhood, according to local sources. The date has been changed from the 23rd to the 22nd since Amnesty International conducted field research in Raqqa. Q_Alenzy reported the death of six members…

Summary

Published
22 June 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1055 RS2300

Location

طيبة, Al Taybeh, Homs, Syria
One male baby was named as a victim of an airstrike on Raqqa by some local sources. However, this appears to have been a reporting error – with the child in fact likely to have been killed in a Russian, regime or Coalition airstrike on al Taybeh, east of Palmyra. MC Palmyra added that members…

Summary

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