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

Search

2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CI775

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
A local woman reported that eleven members of her family – mostly children – died in an airstrike on June 20th. Civil defence units sought to retrieve the bodies on June 29th with Mrs Mohammed in attendance. Reporter Sam Kimball, who accompanied the recovery, incuded the following report: “Nadia Aziz Mohammed, 47, at left, watches…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS1048

Location

Ratlah, Syria

Summary

Published
20 June 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1036

Location

جامع الفواز, Al Fawaz mosque, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that a number of people were killed and several more were injured following artillery fire allegedly carried out by the US-led Coalition on the area surrounding Al Fawaz Mosque on Tel Abyad Street. Three of the seven sources alleged that SDF militia units were responsible whereas the remaining four did not apportion…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1037

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One identified civilian male was killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported. The source provided no further details.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1038

Location

الجسر الجديد, Al Jisr al Jadid, Raqqa, Syria
A family of civilians – including two women and a child – were killed after alleged Coalition airstrikes struck their house near Al Jisr al Jadeed (the New Bridge), to the south of Raqqa. Several local sources identified the victims by name. According to RFS, the family were trying to escape the city when they…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1039

Location

التبني, Al Tabani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Al Tabani. local media reported. According to Baladi, “local media sources said three civilians, including two women, were martyred by the bombing of the international coalition airliner on the village of Tabani in the western suburb of Deir Ezzor.” Al-hokol reported that three…

Summary

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