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

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1056

Location

الشواخ, Shawakj, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians including two children and one woman died in “shelling” on Shawakj, Deir ez-Zor, according to local sources – though it was unclear who was responsible, with only one source attributing the event to Russia. Free Deir Radio referred to “shelling” but didn’t identify the culprit However, Hasaka Rasd blamed Russia for targeting “Harwil…

Summary

Published
22 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1057

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that nine civilians were killed and “many” others were wounded in airstrikes and artillery fire on Raqqa city. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently identified two of the victims (see below) and mentioned that they reportedly were displaced from the town of Samouma in Maskana, as two of the fatalities. Ahmad Shibli said…

Summary

Published
22 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CI780

Location

الساعة, Mosul, Al Saaha, Nineveh, Iraq
A local Facebook page reported that Professor Ghanem Ismail Ahmed (Abu Nashwan) was killed by unspecified bombing in a house in which he had taken refuge, in Saaha neighbourhood in Old Mosul. He was a former head of the al-Thawra school, and of the Imam al-Satt Nafisa Mosque. In December 2018, the Coalition announced that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CI781

Location

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Al Jadida, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that eight civilians were killed as a result of mortar shelling on the market of liberated New Mosul neighbourhood. This happened near the Al-Taibat restaurant and next to the Fathi Al-Ali mosque in New Mosul neighborhood, in the western part of the city. It is presently unclear who was responsible for the…

Summary

Published
22 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1058

Location

المتحف, Muthaf museum, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes near the museum area of Raqqa. Al Raqqa Truth and Mohannad al Mofdi identified the male victim by name as they reported his death on June 24th and said that he had been killed “a few days ago”. No further details were available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CI777

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Four named brothers and other family members were killed in an attack in Old Mosul. News of Iraq named four brothers – Othman, Bakr, Omar and Ali – who it said were killed along with “their entire family” by government shelling. See also incident CI778.

Summary

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