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
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

30 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1553

Location

المجاودة, Al Mojawedah/Al Aranessah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that one displaced woman was killed in a dawn raid on the home of Abbas Freih Al Salama in Al Mojawedah – though most sources did not identify who was responsible for the attack. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the warplanes responsible were “believed to be Russian”.

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1554

Location

العشارة, Al A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post reported that “Abu Islam Al Kazakhi and his wife were killed as a result of a drone strike on Street 25 near the Jabr Mosque in Al Ashara city this morning.” According to Almanar and RN, Abu Islam Al Kazakhi was a member of ISIS. Nobody attributed responsibility for the attack. The US,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1555 RS2574

Location

بقرص فوقاني, Bokros Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as 12 civilians were killed, including at least three children and two women, in airstrikes on Bokro Foqani, situated in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. Sources were contested with blame attributed to Russia, the Syrian regime and the US-led Coalition. Most reports were unable to identify the culprit. The news agency Baladi…

Summary

Published
30 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September–16 October, 2017

Incident Code

CS1650

Location

الدرعية, Diriyah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported one adult male was killed in an alleged airstrike. It blamed the Coalition for his death, and said he had died almost a month previously. Raqqa24, reporting the death on October 25th, said that the victim died “a few days ago” - possibly indicating that he had died from his…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1544

Location

المیادین, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Families were reportedly “trapped underneath the rubble” following alleged Russian, regime or US-led Coalition airstrikes on neighbourhoods of Al Mayadin. RFS said Russian and regime aircraft “carried out dozens of heavy air raids on the neighborhoods of Deir al-Zour under the control of the organization Da’ash with cluster bombs and rockets”. The source said that…

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1545

Location

الرقة‎ , Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians named as Abdul Fattah Abdul-Ali Al-Dali and Sufian al-Dali died reportedly due to airstrikes on Raqqah city. The sources did not name a culprit and referred only to “bombing” and “shelling”. There is limited information presently available. Airwars will amend the entry when new information arises.

Summary

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