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

17 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1500

Location

Abu Kamal, Sena'a neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Eight civilians including an entire family died in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Abu Kamal, local media reported. According to Euphrates Post, “warplanes believed to belong to the international coalition carried out a number of air strikes targeting the town of Abu Kamal and its countryside. The attack targeted the crude oil burners in Al Bagouz…

Summary

Published
17 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1501

Location

Abu Kamal, Al Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Nine houses were allegedly targeted in airstrikes on al Sukkariya village, according to multiple local sources, @albokalnews suspected this indicated “dozens of civilian martyrs”. However reporting was confused with another alleged incident at al Baghouz (S1329) with no breakdown of casualties. Fresh Syria named the US-led Coalition as the culprit, and asserted that an unknown…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1502

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
‘Dozens’ of civilians died in airstrikes on al Baghouz, according to local sources. However reporting was confused with another alleged incident at Al Sukkariya (S1328/CS1501) with no breakdown of casualties. According to @albokmalnews and @DeirEzzor24, more than nine civilian homes were “completely destroyed in the area of Sukkariyah and in the Baghouz”. The sources said…

Summary

Published
17 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–24
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1503

Location

Al Tawwassoui'ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian men were reported killed following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Al Tawassou’ya neighbourhood, Raqqa city, local media reported. According to Al Hasaka Arabea they were displaced persons from Deir Ezzor city. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition. No further details are available at present. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1504

Location

المرور, Al Mourour neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians, died following suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Mourour neighbourhood in the south of Raqqa city. An unknown number of others were alleged wounded by local sources. According to Al Araby the strikes hit residential buildings in the area. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1497 RS2456

Location

مظلوم, Masloum Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian woman died with her two children in an aerial attack on the the village of Mazloum Tahtani (12km east of Deir Ezzor), close to the primary school and the mosque, according to local media. Step News however, out the death toll as high as five. Shabha also referred to civilians wounded in the event,…

Summary

Published
16 September 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident