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

CI764

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, al Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of four civilians in an event in near Mosul. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS defensive fighting position, it was assessed that four civilians were unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Codes

RS2285 CS1005

Location

السيد عايد, Al-Sayed Alyed in Hatla village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and seven civilians were killed, and an unspecific number of others were wounded, following the bombing by military aircraft on Al-Sayed Alyed. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some attributed blame to the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russia. Many sources also reported on "military aircraft" thus, not attributing any…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1008

Location

قرب من أبو كمال, near Abu Kamal, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm. According to the Coalition report, “109. June 15, 2017, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via social media report: The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1009

Location

الهاني ، الرقة, Raqqah, Al Hani, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm. According to the Coalition report, “111. June 15, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via NGO report: The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility..”…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Codes

RS2286 CS1105a

Location

مراط, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an airstrike which hit Mrat, as many as 11 civilians were killed - including six from one family - and dozens more were wounded, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most attributed blame to the Syrian regime, while Souriyati, blamed the Coalition. Others also blamed Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–11
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS994

Location

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Raqqa, Syria
A family of six, including a mother and four children, were killed in artillery strikes on the Kasrat Sheikh al Juma’a village, Raqqa, local sources reported. A number of local sources identified the victims as Mohammed Khalaf al Kajawan, his wife, their two daughters and two boys. Mohammed Othman also reported that the houses of…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident