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

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1000

Location

الفردوس, Fardous, Raqqa, Syria
At least one civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling on Raqqa’s Al Ferdous neighbourhood, according to local media. Q_Alenzy reported that the Coalition carried out a strike on the Aisha school, while Sharqiya Voice reported that “a number of civilians were martyred following international coalition air raid on the Al Ferdos…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1001

Location

البدو, Ar Raqqah: Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians, including one woman, died and two more were wounded in artillery strikes on Raqqa’s Al Badu neighbourhood, according to local media. All sources said that ‘heavy artillery strikes were responsible. Sharqiya Voice blamed “YPG militia”, while Orient reported that “the Syrian Democratic Forces committed a new massacre”. However, only the Coalition was using…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1002

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was reportedly killed as a result of artillery fire supported by Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa, local sources said. All three sources which reported the incident identified the victim as Samir Mohammed al Ali Al Ashayer, who is also known as Abu Mohammed. Both the Palmyra Media Center and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1003

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian males were reportedly killed in artillery fire reportedly targeting Raqqa. Several local sources identified the names the two victims. None of the sources mentioned a culprit but merely referred to "artillery bombardment".

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1004

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A named civilian female was reportedly killed in artillery fire in Raqqa. No further details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1006

Location

مدرسة خالد بن وليد, Ar Raqqah: Near Khaled Bin Waled school, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians during a day of heavy air and artillery fire on Raqqa. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS mortar position, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed by secondary explosions.”…

Summary

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