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

19 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1511

Location

Al Nahda neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah’s Al Nahda neighbourhood, according to local media. The victims were named by multiple sources. Palmyra Media Centre reported the rest of the family were presently unaccounted for. In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 September 2017

Incident Code

CI851

Location

Huwaija, Sina'iya area, Kirkuk, Iraq
According to two local sources, some civilians killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the residential neighbourhoods in Huwaija. Al Rafdain said that a number of civilians were killed and others wounded in an aerial bombardment, with a press source reportedly adding that aircraft bombed three sites in the Sina’iya area in Hawija, resulting in deaths…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 September–10 October, 2017

Incident Code

CS1636

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Up to five civilians, including one child and three women, were reportedly killed by an alleged Coalition strike at some point during the Raqqa Campaign, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality" reported. The first report was made by RBSS who reported…

Summary

Published
19 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1506

Location

Al Kahraba neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
A family of five from the city of Aleppo died in the Al Kahraba neighbourhood (the electricity neighbourhood) of Raqqa city, following alleged US-led Coalition strikes, local media reported. Reports stated the strikes also targeted the juvenile prison area, trains street, Hazima roundabout and Al-Sakia street of Raqqa city, in addition to Al Kahraba. Two…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1507

Location

Jamaa al Shamati, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported on the death of a civilian male following alleged US-led Coalition strikes in the Jamaa al Shamati area of Raqqah. Reports of his death came amidst reports of the destruction of Al Shamati mosque in Raqqa city, though only one source connected the death of Ahmed Taher al-Khatib with the destruction of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1508

Location

الرقة‎ , Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “International Coalition warplanes bombed Al-Raqqah city after midnight on Monday – Tuesday. This resulted in the death of two persons at least and the injury of others”. The monitor said fighting was taking place “in areas in the vicinity of the centre of Al-Raqqah city, and in…

Summary

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