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

27 September 2017

Incident Code

CI856

Location

Mutaybayjah, Salah Al Din, Iraq
Local media outlet Yagein claimed that hundreds were killed and wounded following alleged US-Coalition strikes on Metebija, in the east of Salahadin province. The Iraq Spring Media Center also alleged the Coalition conducted raids in the area, though it did not refer to civilian casualties. A source who spoke to Yagein claimed: the Coalition aircraft bombed…

Summary

Published
27 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–100
Civilians reported injured
0–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1534

Location

White Garden area, Raqqa, Syria
Between 29 and 35 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the al Hadika al Baidaa area of Raqqah, according to local media. @24Raqqa put the death toll at 29, “including women and children”. But according to Raqqa Now and Almanar, more than 35 died. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

Summary

Published
27 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
29–35
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1535

Location

الرقة, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian males died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah, according to local sources. Few additional details are presently known, though Mr Habal was said to have died in his home. Ismail Akkush was, according to extensive Amnesty field research, killed alongside three other men, as reported in Airwars incident CS1536. We have therefore…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1536

Location

Imam al Nawawi mosque, al Nahda neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
According to family members and local reports, four civilians including, Fawaz Yousef Sulaiman Al-Zureiqat aka Abu Yusuf, died in a Coalition strike on the al Nahda neighbourhood, near the al Imam al Nawawi mosque. Mr al Zureiqat’s death was also reported by his nephew, who noted that “We note the death of my uncle Fawaz…

Summary

Published
27 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1533 RS2543

Location

البلعوم, Al Mayadin, Al Baloum neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians, including one woman and one child, were reported killed following airstrikes on Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor governorate. The Coalition and Russian warplanes were blamed by local media. According to Al Natek, Russian raids targeted the city resulting in four civilians deaths. Smart also believed the attack was carried out by Russian…

Summary

Published
26 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1530

Location

السمرة, Al Raqqah Samra, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that civilians died following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on sites near al Raqqa al Samra district. Subsequent reports documented the death of Hajj Abdullah Ali al-Khalaf al-Mqtash (pictured), with all sources considered the US-led Coalition to be the culprit. Qasioun asserted that a “number of civilians died and more were wounded” after…

Summary

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