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
15 May 2017

Incident Code

CI714

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq
A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “On 15 May, an airstrike targeting passing ISIL vehicles damaged a civilian house in the ISIL-controlled al- Rifae neighbourhood of western Mosul, killing five civilians, including two women and a child, and wounding 11 others, including…

Summary

Published
15 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
15 May 2017

Incident Code

CS827

Location

الماكف, Al Makef, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on the Al Makef area of Raqqa, according to local sources. The Coalition later confirmed responsibility for the deaths. In July 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in this strike: “During a strike on Daesh fighting positions and supply routes, two civilians were unintentionally killed.”…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI713

Location

حي النجار, Najjar neighbourhood, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources, including a friend of one of the victims, said that the entire family of Al-Haj Alaa Al-Safi (consisting of eight people) died after a Coalition airstrike hit their home in Najjar neighborhood, in West Mosul. Sources reported that most of the victims were women. The Coalition later reported that it had unintentionally…

Summary

Published
15 May 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
14 May 2017

Incident Code

CS822

Location

شنينة, Shanina, Raqqa, Syria
Between five and nine civilians, including two women and up to seven children, were killed – and up to 45 others were wounded – in alleged Coalition airstrikes in the Shaneina refugee camp to the north of Raqqa city. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported that 14-year-old Abdullah Mohammed al Fayad, Abu Zuhri, his…

Summary

Published
14 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
6–45
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
14 May 2017

Incident Code

CS823

Location

مزرعة العدنانية, Adnaniya, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Adnaniya farm in Raqqa. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) named the victim as 30-year-old Abdullah al Khalawai. Both RBSS and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS824

Location

عكيرشي, `Ukayrishah, Raqqa, Syria
Between 12 and 30 civilians – mostly women – were killed when alleged Coalition airstrikes hit al A’Keirshi village in the countryside of Raqqa, according to local media. The victims were reportedly farm workers who were travelling in three cars to their place of work when they were struck by the air raid. Raqqa is…

Summary

Published
14 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–30
Civilians reported injured
9–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident