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

11 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1472

Location

Al Dasheisha, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians were reported “seriously wounded” following an “aerial bombardment” by the US-led Coalition, local sources alleged. The raid reportedly took place at Al Dashisha village 35km southeast of al Shaddadi. According to Baladi, “shelling that targeted the village, caused the destruction of shops” and “other rockets targets the warehouses of grain causing an outbreak…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1464

Location

فردوس, Ar Raqqah: west of Fardous mosque, Raqqa, Syria
In September 2017, it was reported that 7 civilians were killed in the Al Fardous neighbourhood in Raqqa, following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes. Alraqqa Ahlna identified three of the victims and said that an additional “three young men and one woman” were killed but they remained unidentified as the bodies were still under rubble. A…

Summary

Published
10 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1465

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians, a wife and husband were reported killed following airstrikes on the city of Raqqa. The exact location within the city is currently unknown. Three out of five sources blamed the Coalition, the other two referred to an “aerial bombardment”, without identifying the culprit. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights commented that the incident…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1466

Location

Al Badou, Raqqa, Syria
Between 15 and 21 civilians died and 50 others were injured following an aerial offensive by the US-led Coalition, according to local media. Step New Agency reported that the Coalition had carried out a raid on Al Badou neighbourhood, north of the Al Ma’ri school, which resulted in civilians killed and injured. The death toll…

Summary

Published
10 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
15–21
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1467

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An entire family of up to six people died in alleged airstrikes on Raqqa city. The family were originally displaced from Deir Ezzor, and died as a result of “aerial and artillery bombardment”, according to local sources.

Summary

Published
10 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1468

Location

نزلة شحادة, Nazlah Shahadah/Furat neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported on major numbers of civilian casualties following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Raqqa city’s Nazlat Shahada area during an SDF offensive. Baladi News said people who have just left the city of Raqqa alleged “more than 400 bodies” under the rubble of buildings, “mostly in the Nazlah Shahada and the industrial” area.…

Summary

Published
10 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
24–400
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident