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

8,249 – 13,342

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 3,003 separate alleged incidents.

1,728 – 2,371
children likely killed
1,127 – 1,468
women likely killed
5,930
likely injured
3,784
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,457

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 364 separate incidents of civilian harm.

411
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,217 – 29,816
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
3,003 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,249 – 13,342
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,553 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,397 – 2,821
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
435 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,877 – 12,576
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
783 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
694 – 1,077
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
232 seperate alleged incidents
2996 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1488

Location

العشارة, Al A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that members of ISIS families died in airstrikes which hit homes in al A’shara/Al Hawa – though none of the reports said who was responsible for the incident. Moreover, there was some dispute over the location of the strike, and whether the homes struck belonged to civilians. According to Euphrates Post, “Two…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1489 RS2447

Location

الخريطة, Al Kharita, river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources named one woman as killed and her husband and “some members of his family” wounded in an airstrike on a river crossing at al Kharita. Most sources didn’t identify the culprit. However, according to Sadaa alsham, Russia was to blame for the death of one civilian in al Kharita. The regime captured the…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1481 RS2457

Location

الميادين, Al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what has been described as a massacre, between five and 45 civilians were killed and 14 to 90 were injured in alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on the city of Al-Mayadeen in Deir Ezzor, described by local sources as the “most important stronghold for Daesh in the region”. An initial report from…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
5–45
Civilians reported injured
12–90
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1490 RS2455

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