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

8,222 – 13,299

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 2,985 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,906
likely injured
3,760
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
19,184 – 29,766
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,985 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,222 – 13,299
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,539 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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2983 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date
18 May 2017

Incident Code

CS836

Location

شارع سيف الدولة, Saif al Dawla Street, Raqqa, Syria
The Smart News Agency reported that 15 civilians including children were killed and injured in air raids “believed to have been carried out by the international coalition on Saif al Dawla street in Raqqa”. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
18 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–14
Civilians reported injured
1–14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
18 May 2017

Incident Code

CS837

Location

سهلة البنات, Sahlab al Banat, Raqqa, Syria
An August 2017 Amnesty International report documented the death of three civilians as a result of three strikes on their one-storey house in Sahlat al Banat on the evening of May 18th. Amnesty field researchers interviewed Hassan, a family member of the victims. “This strike killed the two boys as they were coming back into…

Summary

Published
18 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
18 May 2017

Incident Code

CS838

Location

حمار, Hamar, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two or more civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Himar area in the desert of Abu Kamal, local sources said. According to Baladi, “Coalition fighters raided the Hamar area of ​​Badia, Abu Kamal on Thursday, destroying a number of oil tankers and a number of incinerators, as well as injuring a…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI720

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that it did not carry out strikes in an area where civilian casualties were alleged by an unnamed NGO. This allegation was previously unknown to Airwars. According to the report, “May 18, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information…

Summary

Published
18 May 2017
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
17 May 2017

Incident Code

CI719

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources reported that a family of four brothers and their uncle, as well as a man with his son, and a woman, were killed in Rifae neighborhood after missiles and airstrikes hit the area. The raids took place in the street near the Mufti Mosque, in front of the medical clinic, and near…

Summary

Published
17 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
17 May 2017

Incident Code

CS833

Location

العطاره, Al Attara, Raqqa, Syria
.Al Raqqa Truth reported that “Mariam Aswad al Tayih was martyred after being injured in coalition raids on the Al Attara area. Her family were also injured.” No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
17 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident