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

12 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1473

Location

Al Shahabat village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a mass civilian casualty incident, two families of up to twelve people died in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on al Shahabat village in the western Deir Ezzor countryside at “dawn” on September 12th, according to local media. An initial report by Euphrates Post document “five martyrs from one family”, the figure rose to 11…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–12
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1474

Location

Al Badou, Raqqa, Syria
At least 12 civilians including up to seven children and three women died in alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes on residential homes in Raqqa’s Al Badou neighbourhood, according to multiple local sources. Hadi Abdullah also put the death toll at least 11 with dozens more wounded, while Smart put the death toll at 12.…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–14
Civilians reported injured
2–36
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1475

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians, father and son died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa city – or as a result of ISIS actions in the city. Discrepancies in the sources show Revolutionary Command Council in the city of Palmyra and Death page suspected the the men were executed by members of the so-called Islamic State organization.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1476 RS2434

Location

Khisham town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local reports documented four civilians killed in airstrikes on Khisham town,13 kilometres east of Deir Ghaza, eastern Deir Ezzor. Euphrates Post referred to “warplanes” and alleged that they targeted “the house of Awad al-Azar in the town of Khisham, opposite the divider, killing four people and wounding many civilians yesterday evening”, though they did not…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1477 RS2431

Location

Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two adult male civilians, one child and one woman were killed in airstrikes on Hatla, according to local media, though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame. The majority of sources, however, pointed to Russia. Munitions recovered at the scene appear to be Russian in origin. The Syrian Observatory…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 September 2017

Incident Code

CI844

Location

Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Yaqin reported civilians casualties following the bombardment of aircraft of the International Alliance on the areas of Rawah district, west of Anbar province. There is only a single source for this incident, therefore information is presently limited.  

Summary

Published
11 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident