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

8 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1456

Location

Al Nahdah, Raqqa, Syria
On August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of possible civilian harm. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “September 8, 2017, near al-Nahdah, Syria, via media report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in this…

Summary

Published
8 September 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1453

Location

Bokros Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that “a leader of the Islamic State, and his son were killed in a raid by the Washington-led international coalition aircraft” al Laayadh area, near the river crossing, بقرص تحتاني Bokros Tahtani, Eastern Deir Ezzor. According to Euphrates Post among other sources, he was “coming from the town of Al-Shuhail on a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 September 2017

Incident Code

CI839

Location

عنه, Anah, near Rafidain Bank, Al Anbar, Iraq
Yaqein reported on the aerial bombardment of International Alliance aircraft on the districts of Anah, injuring 7 civilians. However, in two later reports, the news agency stated that the Iraqi army launched air raids targeting residential areas. The US-led Coalition later accepted responsibility for the event, saying it had unintentionally injured seven civilians. The Iraqi…

Summary

Published
7 September 2017
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2017

Incident Code

CI840

Location

Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local media reported that an unidentified aircraft carried out an airstrike on a residential district in Rawa, killing up to seven civilians and wounding three more. Yaqin was the only source to attribute responsibility, blaming Iraqi forces, There was shelling by government aircraft targeting residential areas in the district of Rawa, west of Anbar, killing…

Summary

Published
7 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2017

Incident Code

CI841

Location

Abassi, Kirkuk, Iraq
At least 12 and as many as dozens of civilians were reported killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Abbasi, Huweija in the Tamim province. According to Al-Rafiden the Coalition launched 17 raids on the Huweija area. The Coalition was accused by the outlet of a bombardment on the city, that killed and wounded dozens…

Summary

Published
7 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1452

Location

Al Houssainiyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian, was killed by alleged airstrikes on the al Houssainiyah village, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. According to local sources, he was killed in “his his home by shrapnel” after the strikes hit. The US-led Coalition were not documented as the culprit however, and nor was any other actor, with only “warplanes” and “airstrikes”…

Summary

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