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

CS1638

Location

Al Hadika al Baidaa neighbourhood, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that 21 bodies including women and children were recovered from the Hadika al Baidaa (White Garden) neighbourhood of Raqqa, though it was unclear at which point during the Raqqa campaign the deaths occurred. In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm…

Summary

Published
17 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
21
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2017

Incident Code

CI870

Location

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to a single source, different areas of Al Qaim were targeted, resulting in possible civilian harm. The vague report noted Victims of aerial bombing of the international coalition aircraft in various areas of Qaim, west of Anbar. At the moment there is limited information on the incident, Airwars will amend the entry when any…

Summary

Published
16 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1627

Location

Al Jumaili, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported the death of one civilian male in an alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah – possibly a last victim of the assault on the city. Raqqa 24 and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed the Coalition for the man’s death in reports that were published on October 20th and 22nd respectively. Raqqa 24 said…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1629

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Marsad Hasaka reported “the martyrdom of the child Ali Bashir Al-Daman from the village of Massada by the bombing of coalition aircraft on the city of Al-Rigga a few days ago”. Raqqa24, reporting the death on October 25th, said that the victim died “a few days ago”. However the last reported Coalition action in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1630

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported the the death of a civilian male. Three sources blamed the US-led Coalition for his death.The date of the incident is unknown. Raqqa24, reporting the death on October 25th, said that the victim died “a few days ago”. However the last reported Coalition action in the city was on October 16th, with…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1631

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah, according to Raqqah is Being Slaughtered Silently. The source reported the deaths on October 25th but didn’t say when the victims were reportedly killed. The Syrian Human Rights Committee also reported that the victims had been killed in a Coalition strike, but again didn’t say…

Summary

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