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

3 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1439

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three men were documented as victims of suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City. The specific location of the incident was not reported, though all sources blamed the US-led Coalition. Further information will be added to the entry when it arises.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 September 2017

Incident Code

CI837

Location

U'boor district of Anbar, Al Anbar, Iraq
A single report from Yaqein claimed the US-led Coalition had conducted an intensive aerial bombardment resulting in 200 civilians killed and injured within a 48 hour period. The specifics of the civilian casualties, including the toll and identity is currently unknown. Yaqein described indiscriminate bombing by the warplanes of the international coalition aircraft, asserting that…

Summary

Published
2 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
50–100
Civilians reported injured
50–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 September 2017

Incident Code

CI838

Location

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
Yaqein reported that 22 civilians were killed following alleged airstrikes by the US-led Coalition west of Anbar Province in Al Qaim. According to a local source cited in Yaqein, an airstrike of the international coalition aircraft” targeted the area. In addition to killing 22 people it also allegedly caused considerable material damage.

Summary

Published
2 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
22
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1438

Location

دوار النعيم, Al Naim roundabout, Raqqa, Syria
The citizen journalist group, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, reported on the death of 14 civilians following alleged “shelling” by the US-led Coalition, near the al Naim roundabout, Raqqa City centre. In a subsequent report, also from RBSS, one man and his wife and his brother. Despite reports reporting that as many as 14 civilians…

Summary

Published
2 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–14
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1434

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed after suspected US-led Coalition strikes on Raqqa City. Two of those killed were named by Euphrates Post and Hasaka Rasd. The sources said the two killed were originally from Deir Al-Zour. All sources attributed the deaths to “bombing by the International Coalition”, though no specific location for the deaths was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1435 RS2424

Location

Al Shmeitiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On September 1, 2017, up to seven civilians died in an airstrike on Al Shmeitiya, according to local media. While most sources didn’t identify the belligerent, two reports attributed the event to Russia. In three sequential reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted the deaths of between two and four civilians following airstrikes on…

Summary

Published
1 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident