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
13 May 2017

Incident Code

CS813

Location

شنينة, Shanina, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 30 civilians including seven children died and between 23 and 45 more were injured in a major casualty event on a refugee camp in Al-Hashem and Shanina, according to local sources. While most reports blamed the US-led Coalition, one also mentioned Kurdish artillery. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published “pictures of the martyrs…

Summary

Published
13 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–30
Civilians reported injured
23–45
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
13 May 2017

Incident Code

CS814

Location

نزلة شحادة, Nazlat Shahada, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the area between the Two Bridges area in Raqqa. No further details are currently available. In September 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed this allegation of civilian harm as non-credible. Their monthly civilian casualty report noted, "After…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS815

Location

الرقة‎, North of city, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male named as Ahmed Al-Hamad died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. Reports said that he died as he attempted to flee the city.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS816

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. The victim was named Naseem Mohammed Saeed al Salama and was from Al Quaryatayn in Homs governorate in east Syria. Only one source, the Violations Documentation Center in Syria, alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS817

Location

منطقة الصوامع, Silos area, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa governorate. Al Ragga Truth and Raqqa News named the victim as 23-year-old Fadi Qaher al Nashef and both alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Sources said that the Coalition bombed the grain silos area. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS818

Location

يعرب, Ya'arob, Raqqa, Syria
Six to 17 civilians were reportedly killed and as many as hundreds more wounded in the villages of Ya’rob and al Sakhoura in the western Raqqa countryside. However sources were conflicted as to whether they died in a Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling by YPG forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the only source…

Summary

Published
13 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–17
Civilians reported injured
2–200
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident