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
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS987

Location

شارع القوتلي, Ar Raqqah: Kuwati street/neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Several civilians died in artillery shelling on Raqqa’s Kuwaiti neighbourhood, according to local media. According to RFS, “As a result of the heavy shelling of the city of Raqqa and the fall of dozens of shells from Qudd, a number of civilians were killed in Al-Ajili neighbourhood, Al-Mansour Street, the Cultural Center area, the Grand…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS988

Location

كراج البولمان, Pullman garage, Raqqa, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians died in artillery shelling on the Pullman garage area of Raqqa, according to local sources. According to RFS, “As a result of the heavy shelling of the city of Raqqa and the fall of dozens of shells from Qudd, a number of civilians were killed in Al-Ajili neighborhood, Al-Mansour Street,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS989

Location

كازية الشرطة, Ar Raqqah: Police Station, near the Cultural Centre, Raqqa, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians died in artillery shelling near the police station in Raqqa, according to local media. According to RFS, “Aas a result of the heavy shelling of the city of Raqqa and the fall of dozens of shells from Qudd, a number of civilians were killed in Al-Ajili neighborhood, Al-Mansour Street, the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS990

Location

الحني, Al Hani neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that “a number” of civilians were killed in the Al Hani neighbourhood of Raqqa, allegedly following SDF artillery fire. Two of the four sources, Baladi News and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, alleged that the US-backed SDF was responsible whereas the remaining two did not apportion blame. However, the SDF did not…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CI762

Location

دكة بركة, Dakat Barak, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Two civilians from the same family were reported killed by an unknown rocket and "random bombing", according to local sources. Sawlf Ateka reported the dead civilians as Mishan Mohammad Qasim al-Hiyawi and his grandson Hashim Firas. Other sources identified the two as victims but did not clarify who was responsible. In February 2019, the Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CI763

Location

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Al-Taqwa Mosque, Nineveh, Iraq
Eight Iraqi police were accidentally injured and one or two killed following an airstrike, according to multiple sources. According to Yaqein, “a government source said in a statement that ‘the fourth regiment of the Ninewa Emergency Police headed to support the federal police in the area of ​​Wadi Akab in west Mosul, adding that as…

Summary

Published
14 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
19
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident