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 Codes

CS1490 RS2438

Location

الزباري, Al Zabari, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two woman died and eight other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on a school which was housing displaced people in Al Zabari, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia carried out the strike. According to Syrian Press Center, “an air strike targeted a girls’ school…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1491

Location

دشيشة, Al Dasheisha, Al Hassakah, Syria
Seventeen civilians were reported killed in alleged airstrike by the US-led Coalition on al Dashisha village, according to local sources. However the claim has been strongly refuted by some sources. Jisirtv said the civilians were inside a car which was subject to an “intensive aerial bombardment” by Coalition forces. @watannews2015 said the family of Abyan…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1492

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians from the same family were reported killed following alleged US-led Coaltion airstrikes on Raqqa. All sources blamed the Coalition for the strike which targeted “the remaining neighbourhoods” of “besieged Raqqa”. There is limited information available at present.

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 September 2017

Incident Code

CI846

Location

Al Zab district of Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
Yaqin reported on the death of five civilians following US or Iraqi airstrikes on the district of Haweija, in the Tamim area. A source reportedly told Yaqin, The Joint Air Force bombed several areas in Hawija district, killing five people. The source added: the shelling caused a state of terror among the population and caused…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1478 RS2436

Location

مظلوم, Mazloum village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to seven civilians including two women and a girl died in an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people in Mazloum village, eastern Deir Ezzor, according to local media. Though local sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame, the village did appear to have been…

Summary

Published
13 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 September 2017

Incident Code

CI845

Location

Anah and Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq
A single source, Yaqin, alleged the US-led Coalition conducted airstrikes in the areas of Anah and Rawah, Anbar province resulting in civilian harm. According to the report, airstrikes and/ or artillery strikes resulted in civilians casualties and caused physical damage. The report noted that an unknown number of people were injured and civilian homes damaged.…

Summary

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