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

29 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1546

Location

Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian named as Dalal al-Muhammad al-Khamri, age 33, died in the Al Badou neighborhood of Raqqah city, local sources said. The citizen journalist group, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported his death was a result of “artillery shelling” on the lane al Badu in the neighbourhood. US-led Coalition “warplane missiles” were responsible according to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1547

Location

الاربعين, Al Mayadin, Al Ara'ain street, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians died in a strike on a taxi or militant vehicle in Al Arba’ain street, Al Mayadin, local media reported – though it was unclear who was to blame. Most sources didn’t identify who was responsible, though one attributed the event to Russian aircraft. Euphrates Post reported “a military air strike targeted…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1548

Location

الصبحة, Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to six civilians died in an airstrike on Al Sabha, according to local media, though it was unclear who was to blame. Most sources did not identify the warplanes responsible for the attack, thoiugh Qasioun pointed towards the regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed the regime, and put the death toll…

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1549

Location

Suwaydan Jazeera, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported the death of one woman, displaced from Aleppo, in an airstrike on the home of Fayez Al Akla. Free Deir Ezzor said that members of the young woman’s family were also injured in the shelling. According to Euphrates Post, the house of Fayez al-Akla had been turned into an ISIS prison. Sources…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1550

Location

المیادین, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of Fadia Eissa Al Hamada, former director of Al Hussein School, the wife of Eng. Abdul Turki ‘Abu Abdullah’ as a result of the barbaric bombardment of their house”. Marsad Al Hasaka also reported the woman’s death, though neither source said who was to blame.

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1551

Location

Near al Rahman Mosque, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A major civilian casualty incident took place at Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor Governorate, at dawn September 29th – 30th, killing up to 25 civilians with 24 to 40 more wounded, local sources said. According to numerous reports “mostly women and children died”. An initial report by Euphrates Post documented four dead and 30 wounded, though…

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
11–25
Civilians reported injured
24–40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident