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

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CI778

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of seven civilians in an event in Mosul. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on ISIS fighters engaging partner forces from a fighting position, it was assessed that seven civilians, not observed near the target before the…

Summary

Published
21 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CI779

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an attack on Old Mosul. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on ISIS fighters, it was assessed that one civilian, not observed near the target during the engagement, was unintentionally killed.” The Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1050

Location

النور, Al Nour, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that 18 civilians were killed and 10 others were injured following alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes and possible SDF mortar attacks in the Al Nour neighbourhood, near the Al Nour Mosque, in the northeast of Raqqa. All 12 sources who reported the incident alleged that a combination of Coalition airstrikes and…

Summary

Published
21 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
18
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1051

Location

مسجد بلال بن رباح, Ar Raqqah: Western neighbourhoods (Bilal Bin Rabah mosque, unknown location), Raqqa, Syria
Up to 13 civilians from one family were killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes near the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in west Raqqa, local sources reported. Some sources reported that the death toll was in fact 11. Reports said that the Coalition struck a residential building near the mosque. All six sources which reported the incident…

Summary

Published
21 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1052

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, local sources reported. Al Hasaka Arabea identified the victim and reported that he was from Al Ahwas al Shaher village. Only one of the two sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible, whereas the other source did not apportion blame.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1053

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
Two displaced women were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ratla village, according to local sources, who also identified the women. All sources attributed the incident to the US-led Coalition.  

Summary

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