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

6 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1593

Location

البدو, Baidou, Raqqa, Syria
A mass civilian casualty event reportedly took place on the Al Bedou neighbourhood of Raqqah city, following alleged US-led Coalition strikes, according to multiple local sources. According to local monitors 40 civilians died, with reportedly a total of “around 60” suspected either killed or injured. The strikes were said to have targeted or struck an…

Summary

Published
6 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
40
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1594

Location

بتاني, Ar Raqqah: Bitani roundabout, Raqqa, Syria
A family of six, the mother Amal al Huwaidi and her five children died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the al Batani roundabout area in al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah city. The source Mohammed Alabdullah did not apportion blame, however all others alleged the US-led Coalition responsible. The family were, according to Amnesty International fieldnotes,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1595

Location

حديقة المرورية, الجميلي, Ar Raqqah: Between Hadika Al Mororia (Traffic Park) and Jumaili neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Four to five civilians were reported killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the area between Al Hadika Al Mororia and Al Jumaili, Raqqah city. According to Syrian Press Center, the “the International Coalition targeted more than 10 air strikes in the northern neighbourhoods of Raqqah” during this time. Later reports from Raqqa is Being…

Summary

Published
6 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1597

Location

التوسعية, Ar Raqqah: Tawwassoui'ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Six civilians died in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Tawaswiya neighbourhood, according to local media. The citizen journalist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently documented: Omar Al-Ashqar, Yasser Bakour, Khalid Al Hussein and a girl whose name was not mentioned, as the victims. News of their death came amidst reports of considerable aerial bombardment…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1591

Location

Markada, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to 15 civilians died following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Markada in the southern countryside of Al Hasakah governorate. It was claimed that the Coalition targeted a number of locations in the town controlled by so-called Islamic State. The attack left an unknown number of others wounded. Airstrikes hit a vegetable market in the…

Summary

Published
6 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1582

Location

Sukkaria, Ne'ma Matar school near Al-Hamdan road, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six civilians from two families reportedly died following airstrikes on the town of Sukkaria, close to Al Bukamal, local sources alleged. An unknown numbers of civilians were left wounded after the attack, with the death toll expected to rise due to some people being in a critical condition. A correspondent for Deir Ezzor 24 reported…

Summary

Published
5 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident