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

11 June 2017

Incident Code

CI758

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources, as well as sources in the Iraqi army, reported that dozens of civilians were killed or injured in the fighting for the liberation of Shifa, Zanjili and Health neighbourhoods in Old Mosul. Alaraby news said that Iraqi forces allegedly used heavy shelling and air strikes on the area in an attempt to…

Summary

Published
11 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
19–80
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 June 2017

Incident Code

CS965a

Location

Ar Raqqah: near Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque, Raqqa, Syria
A female child was killed by artillery shelling from the US-led Coalition. The Coalition later conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across this event and CS965 and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted in CS965. This civilian was initially listed as killed in an airstrike…

Summary

Published
11 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 June 2017

Incident Code

CS962

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Hashim Abdul Fattah Al-Ali, eight or 12-years-old, died of a heart attack after he was said to have heard a nearby Coalition airstrike in Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. Aletihadpress put Hashim’s age at 12 years, reporting that “according to local sources, 12-year-old Hashim Abd al-Fattah al-Ali was sitting with his family in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 June 2017

Incident Code

CS965b

Location

Ar Raqqah: near Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians were killed in Coalition artillery strikes. The Coalition conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across CS965, CS965a and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted in CS965. These civilians were initially listed as being victims of an airstrike which killed eight civilians from three…

Summary

Published
11 June 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 June 2017

Incident Code

CS963

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Between four and five civilians died and another six were wounded in Coalition airstrikes and an artillery bombardment on Raqqa, according to local sources. According to Shaam, “Violent battles continue in and around the city of Raqqa between the state organization [IS] and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), during which the SDF was able to…

Summary

Published
11 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 June 2017

Incident Code

CS964

Location

حويجة السواقي, Hawija al Sawafi, Raqqa, Syria
At least two civilian men and as many as five people were killed in artillery shelling on the village of Hawija al Sawafi in Raqqa governorate. Syria Mirror, a pro-Syrian government source, alleged that the Coalition was responsible and reported the higher casualty rate whereas the two remaining sources – Abu Muaaz and Raqqa is…

Summary

Published
11 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident