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

1 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1436

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa City on the first day of Eid al-Adha, local media reported. Syrianpc said other people were wounded in the attack. Multiple sources named victims. All sources asserted the US-led Coalition was responsible. No further information is available at present.

Summary

Published
1 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1437

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
On January 11th 2018, Rami Assaf reported that “news of the martyrdom of the family of Mr. Ahmed Al-Hanan from Muhsin in rural Deir Al-Zour has now been confirmed. They were killed four months ago as a result of the bombing of the International Coalition against the city of Raqqa. Their bodies were found today…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1433 RS2422

Location

صغير شامية, Sagheer Shamiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On August 31, 2017, at least three civilians died in an airstrike on Zaghir Shamiya, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, Russia or the Syrian Regime were responsible for the event. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that between two and three people were killed…

Summary

Published
31 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1431

Location

T2 near Iraqi-Syria border, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to multiple local sources, one adult male died in an alleged Coalition airstrike. A source quoted by the Palmyra Coordination Committee asserted strikes targeted “a civilian car he was travelling near the second station T2 near the Iraqi-Syrian border yesterday.” The source added: “It is worth mentioning that the Coalition announced the targeting of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 August 2017

Incident Code

CI836

Location

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local media reported on the death of civilians following alleged US-Coalition airstrikes on Al Qaiem District. According to Yagein, the aircraft launched two raids targeting residential neighbourhoods and the school of the Eastern Renaissance. The sources added that the bombing caused the destruction of a number of houses which led to deaths and injuries of…

Summary

Published
30 August 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1432

Location

Al Hawaji, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians, including two women and three children, died in airstrikes carried out by unknown aircraft on the al Hawaij village in Deir Ezzor Governorate, alleged local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Euphrates Post listed those killed. The US-led Coalition was not attributed to the attack; sources referred to “bombing by…

Summary

Published
30 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident