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

8,221 – 13,295

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
5,905
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
19,183 – 29,762
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,221 – 13,295
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

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1032

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian children were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported. Both the children were identified by local sources and were reportedly displaced from the city of Sukhna, according to @PalmyraRev1. Four of the five sources alleged that the children died as a result of Coalition bombing. No further details were available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1025

Location

الزعير, Al Zaer, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian was reportedly killed in an airstrike on Al Za’er village in Deir Ezzor, but it was not clear who was responsible, Smart News Agency reported. As the local agency noted, “The activist Mohammed Hassan, who relies on information from local sources said, that unidentified warplanes launched raids on the village, which led to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1016

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah , Raqqa, Syria
Multiple local sources reported the deaths of two named civilians in Coalition airstrikes or artillery shelling. No additional details are presently known. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as "non-credible", stating that the allegation provided insufficient information on the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1017

Location

حارة البدو, Al Badou, Raqqa, Syria
Two women were killed and several others were injured in the Al Badu neighbourhood of Raqqa, allegedly caused by SDF mortars or supporting Coalition airstrikes. Several sources reported that seven people were wounded in the raid. However Madar News reported that at least 10 people were wounded. Eleven of 14 sources reported that the US-backed…

Summary

Published
17 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1018

Location

منصور, Al Mansour, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Network, “activists said that International Coalition bombed the Mansour neighbourhood in the city of Raqqa, killing a civilian”. Other sources reported Coalition airstrikes on the Nadeer bakery on Al-Mansour Street and Abaret Al-Sadou, but made no mention of civilian casualties. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the strike…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1019

Location

حويجة الصوفي, Hawijah al Swafi, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, local sources reported. All five sources identified the victim by name like they all also alleged that the Coalition was responsible. The victim was reportedly killed in his home near Al Jaraksa mosque, Q_Alenezy reported via Twitter. On February 4th 2021 the US-led…

Summary

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