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

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1567a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", 19 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa. Although Amnesty researched this incident on the ground, Airwars have decided to grade it "weak" due to the depth of material provided. The victims were from the Aarouni family…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
19
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1628

Location

البدو, Raqqa city: Baidou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
13 civilians were killed – including nine from one family – due to the "bombing of the International Air Force on the city of Raqqa during the battle for control of the city”. Kurdish news agency Hawar later published an interview with a survivor named as Yazan Abdulrahman Mohammad, in which it was stated that in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1568

Location

البدو, Badu, Raqqa, Syria
Initially the death of one civilian male was reported in this incident: a doctor named Alaa El Din Hassan Hamam died in Raqqah city following US-led Coalition airstrikes, local sources said. According to a report by Al Rafed, Dr. Alaa El Din Hassan Hamam provided medical assistance for the injured in Raqqah until he died. His…

Summary

Published
3 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1569

Location

al Qitar Street north of city centre, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 45 civilians reportedly died and 15 were wounded following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes to the north of Raqqah city, at the outskirts of the al-Tawassiya area. The victims were “gathered around a water well on Qitar (train) street” collecting water “due to the ongoing water cuts in the city for more than three…

Summary

Published
3 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
13–45
Civilians reported injured
14–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1570

Location

البدو, Ar Raqqah: Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
As many as 44 civilians were killed, from three familes, following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on al Marniadiya Street in al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah, according to local media. The strike reportedly targeted a residential building (pictured). Raqqah is Being Slaughtered Silently identified some victims. However since Amnesty International  conducted on the ground research in Raqqa…

Summary

Published
3 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
44
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1574

Location

Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of: Mrs. Nour Omar Al Haj Hassan, wife of Mahmoud Khalaf al-A’llash and her daughters Sarah and Judy Mahmoud al-A’llash, 3 months old, as a result of air strikes which targeted their home in the city of Mayadeen a few days ago.” No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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