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

12 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1476 RS2439

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
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1477 RS2440

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
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
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

Incident Date

11 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1469

Location

Al Ferdos, Raqqa, Syria
Several civilians died and were wounded in alleged Coaltion airstrikes on Raqqa’s Al Ferdous neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources reported that a mosque was also destroyed in a strike. According to the Syrian Press Center, there was “an aerial bombardment and artillery shelling of residential buildings in Al Ferdous, Al Jamili and Al Naeem…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1470

Location

Abu Khashab junction, Deir Ezzor, Syria
News of dead and wounded civilians at the Abu Kashab junction, Deir Ezzor countryside, was reported by a single source. Al Natek Network did not specify an actor, the report referring only to “airstrikes”. Airwars researchers tracked claims of both the Coalition and the SDF near the location at the time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1471

Location

Al Ferdos, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently named one civilian as killed “as a result of the shelling” of Raqqa. However, there is the possibility that this may be the same incident as CS1469, in the neighbourhood of Al Ferdous, on September 11th.

Summary

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