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

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CI767

Location

Mosul, Old city, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “113. June 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq,via social media report: The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CI768

Location

Mosul, Zahra, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “114. June 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information it was assessed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1013

Location

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians died in Kasrat Juma’a village, Raqqa, according to local sources. Reports blamed Coalition airstrikes and SDF/Coalition artillery. Some other reports said that one of the victims was killed by an SDF sniper. According to Q_Alenzy, a Coalition airstrike targeted “the house of Mustafa al-Ahmad al-Muhaimid”. Other sources also said that a large number…

Summary

Published
16 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1014

Location

مسجد الجراكسة, near al Jaraksa mosque, Raqqa, Syria
One named civilian was killed in a Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling by the SDF on the area near al Jaraksa mosque, according to local media. @alrqqa.ahlna SDF artillery blamed SDF artillery for his death, while Ahmed Al Shebli aid he died in a Coalition raid. However, since SDF did not possess artillery in this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One 16-year-old, female was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. No further details were provided.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1010

Location

البياطرة, Ar Raqqah: Bayatra neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians died and were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Al Bayatra neighbourhood, local media reported. According to Almanar, “a number of civilian casualties were caused by a new massacre carried out by US aircraft during the targeting of Al-Bayatra neighbourhood”. All other sources also pointed to the Coalition.…

Summary

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