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

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 RS2445

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
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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

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