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

5 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1584

Location

Jadida Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian was reported killed following airstrikes on Jadid Akeidat, 20km east of Deir Ezzor on the northern bank of the Euphrates River. Smart described the incident as “similar” to attacks carried out in the same governorate during a 24 hour period, by “Russian-made warplanes”. There is limited information on the incident, and Airwars will…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1585

Location

Huseiniyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians died following airstrikes on al Husseiniya village, local sources said. The number of victims was placed at five in a report by Deir Ezzor 24, including “several others wounded”. Deir Free identified the young man Hani Jadoua Al-Khalif al-Hammad as one of the dead, and said that “artillery shelling by regime forces” was…

Summary

Published
5 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1586

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One person died in an aerial offensive that targeted the river crossing in al Mayadeen, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. News of the civilian casualty came amid numerous reports of Russian actions in the area, @m_eelwahed described “Russian raids” with phosphorous which led to the outbreak of fires in several neighbourhoods of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1587

Location

البدو, Baidou, Raqqa, Syria
Eight or more women were alleged killed following US-led Coalition strikes on the al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah city. According to the single source, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, the victims were gathering around a water well for women in the area. This was the third claimed incident over a few days in which a water…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1588

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians from one family died in the conflict in Raqqah city, local media reported, though at present it is unclear how they died. The majority of sources alleged a land mine explosion was responsible, however, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently suspected ‘bombing” was the cause. Raqqa24, among other sources, named four of the victims.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1589

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Ar Raqqah: Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria
It was reported that Radwan Kor Ahmed, in addition to two other civilians, died in al Hadika al Baidaa (the white garden) of Raqqah city following alleged US-led Coalition strikes, local sources said. The two sources tracked both blamed the US-led Coalition. While the deaths were reported on October 8th, sources said the victims had…

Summary

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