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

24 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1522

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Seven or ten civilians, mostly women and children, were reportedly killed by an airstrike on Al Mayadin. According to Al Haddath, Coalition aircraft “launched air raids on residential areas in the eastern city of Mayadeen”, killing seven civilians, mostly women and children from the same family. This was reiterated by pro-regime outlet Tishreen. The Syrian…

Summary

Published
24 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1523

Location

مركدة , Markada, Al Hassakah, Syria
Eleven civilians including one woman and two or more children died and many more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Markada, local media reported. All sources attributed the event to the US-led Coalition. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that four non-combatants including two girls and a woman died. Insaan Rights Watch…

Summary

Published
24 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
1–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1520

Location

Hawari school, Raqqa, Syria
One adult male civilian, named as Said Mohammed al-Said, died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hawari school in Raqqah, according to local sources. Reports said that the victim was the father of six daughters.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1518

Location

Al Mala'ab Al Baladi, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that one male civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the municipal stadium area of Al Mala’ab Al Baladi in Raqqa. According to FSA Raqqa Sport, the victim was “a body building champion”. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: " After review of all available…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1519

Location

Deir Ez-Zor, Al Husseiniya crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that one civilian, Mr. Khalil Ibrahim Al-Zaher, was killed as he tried “to get out of the city of Deir al-Zour near the Husseiniya crossing on the Euphrates River after an air raid.” Sources didn’t say who was responsible for the strike. The US-led Coalition informed Airwars that as a result…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1514

Location

قریة مظلوم , Mazloum village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post and Marsad Al Hasaka reported “the martyrdom of Mr. Abdullah Aljama and the injury of Ibrahim Abu Darwish as a result of the aerial bombardment of Mazloum village yesterday.” Neither source identified a culprit.  

Summary

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