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

22 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1515

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported six civilians killed in alleged Coalition strikes on Raqqa city, the source said “the martyrdom of a mother and her five children as a result of the bombing by international coalition aircraft on the city of Al-Raqqa last Friday" Raqqa24 and Mohammed Othman also named the vicitms and reported…

Summary

Published
22 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1516

Location

الرقة, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians – a woman and her male child – died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. Raqqa Sport reported: “In the name of the sports site of Raga and all the athletes of the province of Raqqa, we offer from Captain Osama Kaddour, handball player in the Youth Club…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1517

Location

near As Safiyah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another in an event near As Safiyah, Syria. Their February 2018 civilian casualty report noted, "The Coalition conducted a strike which destroyed a bridge across a canal being used by Daesh to move vehicle-borne…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1513

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian males died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. Multiple sources named the victims. The deaths of Mr Al Khatib and his son were reported by Page of Palymyra’s Dead, reflecting where the IDPs had originally come from.

Summary

Published
21 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2017

Incident Code

CI852

Location

Karabla, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local press said a number of civilians were killed following airstrikes on Karabla in Qaem district, west of Anbar province. It was alleged by sources that the strikes killed a number of owners of car maintenance shops after they targeted the industrial district. The US-led Coalition was not blamed for the attack, however, nor were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1512

Location

الرقة, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media named four civilians as killed in Raqqa by “aerial bombardment and artillery”. The culprit was not identified, though Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery at Raqqa, and was conducting airstrikes on the city at the time. The date of the incident is yet to be confirmed. Sources reported the…

Summary

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