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

Declassified Document

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2983 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date
11 May 2017

Incident Code

CI706

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, Tammuz / July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
A local report said that a family was killed in shelling in the Tammuz neighborhood of western Mosul. Ninawa Media Center reported that a father, son and the son’s daughter were all killed by shelling in Tammuz. As the report noted, “My dear brother, a random bombardment of July near the Mufti Mosque claimed the…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS805

Location

near Al Ramilah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Al Ramilah”. “104. May 11, 2017, near Al Ramilah, Syria, via social media report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes…

Summary

Published
11 May 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
10 May 2017

Incident Code

CS795

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of the entire family of Mohammad Yassin Mansour in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the gas factory north of Raqqa. According to Raqqa Post, a civilians from two families died and "two other young men" in an air died in an air raid on Raqqa – though the source didn’t say…

Summary

Published
10 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
10 May 2017

Incident Code

CS796

Location

الحي الثاني, Tabaqah, al Thani, Raqqa, Syria
One woman was killed and two men were reportedly wounded in airstrikes “likely” carried out by the Coalition in Al Thani neighbourhood of Al Tabaqa city, a local source told Smart News Agency. A medical source told the agency that the victims were taken to medical checkpoints in the area. Baladi also reported that there…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS797

Location

الصور, Al Soor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least seven and as many 14 civilians were killed including four children and dozens more were reportedly injured in airstrikes on Al Soor, 55km northeast of Deir Ezzor city, according to local reports. The Coalition later confirmed killing one civilian in the town that day. There were conflicting reports at the time as to…

Summary

Published
10 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–14
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
10 May 2017

Incident Code

CS798

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadeen, according to a single source. The Shaam News Network was the only source pointing directly towards the Coalition, reporting that “international coalition planes launched an air strike targeting an arms factory belonging to IS in the city of Mayadeen, which led to the explosion…

Summary

Published
10 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident