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

16 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1011

Location

المخالفات, Al Mukhalafat, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians including one child and one woman died in a Coalition air or artillery strike or SDF ground action on a home in the Mukhalafat area, south of al Nour mosque, in Raqqa, local media reported. According to ALRaggaTruth, Mousa Mohammed Shaikhani‘s house was destroyed by “rocket-propelled grenades”. He died in the strike along…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS996

Location

شارع سيف الدولة, Saif al Dawla Street, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed as a result of reported artillery fire on the Saif al Dawla area of Raqqa, local sources reported. Three sources separately identified the victim as Ayham Rashid al Barazi, but no further details were available. All reports said that the US-backed SDF were responsible for the artillery fire. However, a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS997

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Al Masriya roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Al Masriya Roundabout in Abu Kamal to the southeast of Deir Ezzor city was targeted by airstrikes causing injury to some civilians, and reportedly killing some members of ISIL. However, it was not immediately clear who was responsible. One source, Al Nateq, reported that the Coalition was responsible whereas the remaining sources did not…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CI765

Location

القائم‎, Al Qa’im, Al Anbar, Iraq
In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition confirmed on Oct. 27, 2017 that it had unintentionally killed four civilians. The provided coordinates placed the event in the near Al Qa’im town in the Al Anbar Governorate. There are currently no further details known about the incident.

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS998

Location

الانتفاضة, Ar Raqqah: Near Khaled Bin Waled school, Intifada neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians – including a father and his three children – died in a Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Al Intifada neighbourhood, local sources reported. The Coalition later conceded to have killed four civilians in the strike. Besides from the killing of a father and his three children, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) additionally said…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS999

Location

نزلة شحادة, Nazlat Shahada, Raqqa, Syria
Three adult brothers died and at least one was injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike between the area of the two bridges in Raqqa, according to local media. Multiple sources named two brothers as killed in the Coalition raid while Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named an additional third victim. A joint Amnesty and Airwars’s…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident