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

8,220 – 13,294

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 2,984 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,904
likely injured
3,757
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
19,182 – 29,761
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,220 – 13,294
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,538 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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2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

17 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1643

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 500 bodies were reported found in two mass graves at Al Rasheed high school football stadium in the city center of Raqqa. A report by M2 Akhbarak quoted Abdullah al-Erian, head of the Reconstruction Committee of the Raqqa Civil Council, stating that “so far about 50 bodies have been removed from the mass…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1645 RS2645

Location

Abu Kamal, Al Masriya roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between eight and nine civilians died in an airstrike on the al Masriya roundabout in Abu Kamal, according to local media – though sources at the time were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia was responsible. In September 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted:…

Summary

Published
17 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1645a RS2643

Location

الغبرة, Al-Ghabra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Airstrikes struck a residential neighbourhood and popular market in Al-Ghabra - according to local media. As many as four civilians were killed and others were injured. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the airstrikes, some attributing blame to Russian warplanes while others blamed the Syrian regime.  Some sources attributed blame to…

Summary

Published
17 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 October 2017

Incident Code

CI871

Location

القائم, Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Al Qaim, Iraq. Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike which destroyed one ISIS VBIED production facility, two ISIS support buildings and ISIS weapons cache it was assessed that one…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1635

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Euphrates Post, amongst other sources, reported that "the bodies of Ramadhan Sheikh's family were found in the rubble after being lost for nearly two months in the city of Raqqa. They’re from Jabila neighbourhood in Deir Ezzor". DCHRS listed eight victims, including Mr Ramadhan Sheikh, his wife and six of his children. It is currently…

Summary

Published
27 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1637

Location

Al Heif neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that 10 bodies were recovered in the Al Heif neighbourhood of Raqqa, though it was unclear at which point during the Raqqa campaign the deaths occurred.

Summary

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