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

1–5 October, 2017

Incident Code

CS1590a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", between 11 and 23 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The report summarised…

Summary

Published
5 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11–23
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1556

Location

طابية جزيرة, Tabiyyah Jazeera, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local leader Thalj Ragheb Al-Humaidi Al-Salman was killed in airstrikes on Tabiyyah Jazeera village, according to multiple local sources. He was Mukhtar of the village and Sheikh of the Burmah clan. It is not presently clear who was responsible as no source apportioned blame – all but one referred to “shelling”. Airwars will amend the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1557 RS2579

Location

Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between nine and 15 civilians died, including an entire family, following alleged airstrikes in a second reported ‘massacre’ at Abu Kamal in 24 hours. Reports were contested: some sources blamed the Coalition, while others believed Russia were the likely culprit. Many of the known sources did not apportion blame. The strikes were conducted after midnight,…

Summary

Published
1 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–15
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1558

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that three male civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah. Ar Raqqah Truth said that one of the victims, Shadi Mohammed Azo Mokhtash (pictured), came from the Mashlab area.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 September 2017

Incident Code

CI861

Location

القائم‎, Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources reported that as many as 50 civilians died in alleged US-led Coalition air strikes on Al Qaim, west of Anbar province. However, there was doubt regarding their combatant status. Yagein said that according to one report, civilians had attempted to return to their homes when targeted and up to 50 died. However, its…

Summary

Published
30 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1552

Location

Al Zubari, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian died and at least three were injured in airstrikes on Al Zubari, according to local media – though it was unclear who carried out the attack. Most sources didn’t apportion blame, though one said that Russia had bombed the town. According to the Smart News Agency, “a civilian was killed and others were…

Summary

Published
30 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident