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

14 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1479

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An adult civilian male (pictured) died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah, local sources said. There is limited information, however all sources cited the Coalition as the culprit. Mr Hareth’s death was reported on October 7th, though it was stated he had died “nearly a month ago.” Airwars has tentatively placed the data range at…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

CI847

Location

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq
A single source reported on the death of a family following an aerial bombardment on the residential areas of Anah, west of Anbar province. The source said a woman and a girl died. However, the exact number of the family member was unclear. The US-led Coalition was not identified as a possible culprit, nor was…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–11
Civilians reported injured
2–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1480

Location

IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A major civilian casualty incident allegedly took place at an IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Eastern Deir Ezzor countryside. Al Yaqeen reported about 100 displaced people were killed, mostly women and children, following an alleged aerial bombardment by the US-led Coalition at the camp (pictured). However this was contested – with Euphrates Post asserting that…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
100–120
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1482 RS2440

Location

طابية شامية, Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that five people were killed following airstrikes on Tabiyeh Shamieh, Deir Ezzor Governorate. Three of those who died were named in two separate reports from Euphrates Post. Sources said the location of the incident was the “water crossing” at Tabiyeh Shamieh. According to the Syrian Observatory some civilians were “permanently disabled” following…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1483 RS2441

Location

خشام, Kisham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ten to 12 civilians, mostly children and women, were reported killed following alleged airstrikes on Khishham, 15 km southeast of Deir Ezzor. The majority of sources accused Russian warplanes of committing the offence. However both the Regime and the US-led Coalition were also mentioned in reporting. Syrian Press Center reported that Russian warplanes used “cluster…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1484 RS2442

Location

جديد بكارة, Jadid Bakara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A major civilian casualty incident took place on the village of Jadid Bakara, Deir Ezzor Governorate. Reporting remains contested and various local sources have blamed Russia, the Regime and the US-led Coalition. Between 11 and 15 civilians died, “dozens” were reportedly wounded, and the death toll included at least one women and five children. The…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11–15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident