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

8 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1634

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Fourteen civilians were allegedly killed on the 8th of October by Coalition airstrikes near the Old Mosque in Raqqa. On December 14th, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported “the bodies of the martyrs Mohammed Hassan Aarouni and Alaa Mohammed Aarouni were found with his family and Ibrahim Mohammed Aarouni and his family under the rubble…

Summary

Published
8 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1606

Location

Diriyah, Raqqa, Syria
Five members of one family died in Raqqah city following alleged “shelling” according to local reports. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, four of their children survived and “were taken to a house on the main road at the junction between Hitteen farm and Rabi’at al Atfal. No sources apportioned blame. Raqqa is Being…

Summary

Published
8 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8–9 October, 2017

Incident Code

CS1609

Location

Ar Raqqa, Tawasiyah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was killed after alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the al-Tawasu’iyah neighbourhood of Raqqah city according to multiple local sources. Reportedly, “massive destruction of residential buildings and public property” followed the strikes, with sources also suspecting that many more civilians were wounded. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition. The date of the event was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1610

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A young civilian male (possibly a teenage boy) named as Khalil Ibrahim al-Shehab (pictured) reportedly died of his wounds following US-led Coalition airstrikes on the city of Raqqah “several days earlier”, local sources alleged. There is very limited information, and Airwars will update when any new details become available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1598

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A man named as Hussein al-Ali al-Hamam and “his family of six people” from the Hamam al Turkman area in Raqqah city (possibly where the incident occurred) died following airstrikes, local media reported. Hussein al-Ali al Hamam reportedly worked for the local power company. Raqqa 24 blamed the US-led Coalition, while all other sources referred…

Summary

Published
7 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1599

Location

البدو, Baidou, Raqqa, Syria
A woman named as Zubaydah al-Rahim Sheikh Hassan and her daughter Reem Mohammad al Musa (pictured) died in the al Badou neighbourhood whilst trying to leave the city of Raqqah, local sources alleged. There was some discrepancy in reports, therefore it is not clear how the two died; in equal measure sources suspected the US-led…

Summary

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