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
17 May 2017

Incident Code

CS834

Location

حي المشلب, Al Mashlab, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians and a member of IS died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Al Mashlab neighbourhood, local media reported. According to the Smart News Network, “Three civilians and a member of ‘Islamic State’ were killed on Wednesday by a bombing likely to be by the international coalition in the al-Mashlaab district of the…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI717

Location

حي العريبي, Mosul, al-Uribe, Nineveh, Iraq
A single local source reported that fifteen civilians from two families died after Coalition airstrikes targeted ISIL fighters who were hiding in their house. This occurred in Uribe neighbourhood, in West Mosul. Presently no further details are known.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI718

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that one civilian died and up to 30 civilians were still under the rubble in July 17 neighbourhood. Most sources do not say who was responsible – but one said it was the work of the Coalition. Omar Al Halbusi reported on Facebook that Al-Mutasim Abdelmohsen Al-Bagari is still under the rubble,…

Summary

Published
16 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
31
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
16 May 2017

Incident Code

CS832

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly killed when an alleged Coalition airstrike hit an ISIL car belonging to the religious police, known as Hasba, killing four of its members. The men were reportedly arrested by the religious police and were being transported in their car when they were killed. A number of local sources named two of…

Summary

Published
16 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
16 May 2017

Incident Code

CS828

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Sharqiya Voice and Al Ragga Truth reported the death of “the young man Halloush al Badran from the village of Ziban” in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa city. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS829

Location

السمرة, Raqqa al Samra, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian woman was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Samra village, east of Raqqa city. The woman was named as Siham al Abd al Zai’t by al Raqqa Truth. According to Thoar al Raqqa, the strikes took place at midnight. Three sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible for the strikes, which reportedly…

Summary

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