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

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1043

Location

كسرة فرج, Kasrat Faraj/Kasrat Sheikh al Juma'a, Raqqa, Syria
A baby girl was killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike on Kasrat al Faraj or Kasrat Sheikh al Juma’a, but there was confusion as to exactly where the death took place due to conflicting reports. She was identified by a number of sources and was either nine or 10 months old, with Al Ragga Truth…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1044

Location

البصيرة, Al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman died in an alleged Assad regime or Coalition airstrike on the cultural centre in al Basira, local media reported. Multiple sources – blaming the US-led Coalition – identified the female victim. However, RFS News blamed regime aircraft, while others like Syrian PC did not identify the perpetrator. According to Deirezzor24, she died as a result…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1045

Location

شارع سيف الدولة, Saif al Dawla Street, Raqqa, Syria
Three members of one family, including a four-year-old girl, were killed in Raqqa city, with sources reporting that either SDF shelling or Coalition airstrikes were allegedly responsible. A number of the sources identified the names of the victims and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently shared images of all three individuals. Because Palmyra Media Center reported…

Summary

Published
20 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1046 RS2295

Location

خشام, Khasham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 16 civilians, including several women and children, were killed and dozens more injured in airstrikes on Khasham village in Deir Ezzor governorate. However, it was not clear who was responsible with allegations lodged against the Coalition, the Russian air force and the Syrian government. In total, five sources alleged that the Coalition was…

Summary

Published
20 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
13–16
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1048a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", four civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The report stated that "Dhiab al-Rusly…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1047

Location

ﺷﺎﺭﻉ ﺍﻻﻣﺎﺳﻲ, Al Amassi Street/Neighbourhood, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed and others were injured after reported artillery shelling of Al Amassi Street in Raqqa city. Al Hasaka Arabea identified the victim and reported that he was an internal refugee from the Hama countryside. Both sources reporting the incident alleged that the US-backed SDF was responsible for the artillery strikes. However,…

Summary

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