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

Search

2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

15–16 June, 2017

Incident Code

CS1012

Location

جامع المنصوري, Al Mansouri mosque, Raqqa, Syria
A total of 25 civilians including one woman and 10 children died in SDF/Coalition shelling near the Al Mansouri mosque in Raqqa, according to local media. The US-led Coalition later conceded the event following an Amnesty field investigation. Multiple reports said that a home near the mosque was hit with artillery or mortar shells or…

Summary

Published
16 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
25
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS982

Location

نهر الفرات, Ar Raqqah: Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria
Up to eleven civilians including a family of three were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike near the town of Ziban, to the south of Raqqa city. The civilians were reportedly crossing the Euphrates River in small boats in order to flee the violence at Raqqa, when they were hit in the alleged strikes.…

Summary

Published
14 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–11
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS983

Location

العجيلي/السبع دربات, Ar Raqqah: A'jili/Sabi Darbat neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
A family of three civilians, including one woman, were killed and several more were injured in artillery fire allegedly carried out by the US-backed, Kurdish-led SDF militia in the Al A’jili neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local sources. However, only the Coalition was using artillery in the city in this period. The Revolutionary Forces of…

Summary

Published
14 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS984

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According, to Sharqiya Voice, there were “a number of civilian martyrs and wounded after warplanes raided Aisha hospital in al Abu Kamal.” The source went on to report that there were “more than 10 raids” by the Coalition on “the Al Sina’a area, al Hajana and the area around Aisha hospital.” Euphrates Post said that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS985

Location

مغسلة العبو, Al Ibbo carwash, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that an unspecified number of civilians were injured by missiles or artillery shells at the Al Ibbo carwash. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that the SDF was shelling the area, while other sources didn’t identify the culprit. However, only the US was using artillery at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS986

Location

المركز الثقافي, behind cultural center, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that an unspecified number of civilians died in shelling on the area behind the cultural centre in Raqqa. Baladi referred to “heavy artillery shelling”, but was among other sources who didn’t identify the culprit. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed the SDF. However, the Coalition has informed Airwars that only it was…

Summary

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