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

Search

2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1575

Location

near Al Hadin, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event near Al Hadin, Syria. Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike which killed a high-level ISIS leader, destroyed one ISIS vehicle it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured." In…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1563 RS2588

Location

بقرص فوقاني, Bokros Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 10 and 12 civilians, including an entire family, died in an airstrike on Bokros Foqani, local media reported. The culprit is currently unclear, though Airwars understands that the Coalition was not bombing in this territory at the time, while Russia reportedly was. Some sources also attributed the blame to the Syrian regime.  According to…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Civilians reported injured
2–30
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1564 RS2583

Location

Abu Kamal, al Mohadatha school, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 11 and 15 civilians including an entire family died and dozens more were wounded in a reported airstrike near the al Mohadatha school in Abu Kamal, according to local media. Sources, however, were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. A number of reports did not identify the warplanes…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1565

Location

التوسعية, Al Tawassiya, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that 16 to 45 people were killed in a mass civilian casualty incident on al Tawassi’ya neighbourhood, Raqqah city. Some reports said that a shelter in the Traffic park area had been struck, while others said two buildings were hit. The lowest overall death toll of “at least 19” came from the…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
19–45
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1566

Location

مظلوم فوقاني, Mazloum Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The civilian Abdullah al Jamma was reported to be “under the rubble” of buildings, following airstrikes by unidentified aircraft. Reportedly targeting the town of Mazloum Foqani according to the Euphrates Post. The town sits on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, where the US-led Coalition was still conducting strikes. Mr al Jamma was suspected…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Code

CI862

Location

الحصيبة, Husaybah, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to several sources, a married couple identified by name were reported killed in central al Qaim following a Coalition or Iraq Air Force strike. According to al Qaim News, the Iraqi air force killed the couple in Qaim district. Al Grbia Al Hadath said the couple died when their home at al Huseiba in central…

Summary

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