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

29 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1429a

Location

Ar Raqqah: Various neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria
Initially this incident was reported on by several sources as an alleged airstrike or artillery shelling in various neighbourhoods in the city of Raqqa, in which eight cilivilians died, including one woman. There was a discrepancy regarding civilians identified in the list. Amjad Ahmed Taha Al-Suwairi, Mohammed Ayman Sweiri and Ahmad Taha Al-Omar Al Suweiri,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1426

Location

Tarif, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One named civilian died and others were wounded in airstrikes on Tarif in the western suburbs of Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Assad regime or Russia were to blame. Step News Agency blamed the Coalition and said that white phosphorous was used. It…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1427

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria
Between 12 and 23 civilians were reported killed, and others wounded, following US-led Coalition airstrikes near The White Garden (Hadiqa Bayda) area, in Raqqa City. The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented 12 civilian casualties, whereas the majority of other sources reported 17 or 18 killed, including women and children. The air raid reportedly struck…

Summary

Published
28 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–23
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1428

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One young male civilian was killed in an alleged US-led Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. The date of the event and his death was unclear, though reporting on August 31st, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said he died “a few days ago”.

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1424

Location

Centre, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that ten civilians – including up to six children and four women and two men from one family – were killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes in central Raqqa City. The strike reportedly struck or targeted a building in which the the Al-Shakran family were sheltering. The family were displaced persons from…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1425

Location

الأنصار, Ar Raqqah: Ansar mosque, Raqqa, Syria
The death of between one and three people was reported by local media sources, following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on the city of Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “documented the death of three people after the bombing of downtown Raqqa by International Coalition aircraft”, though did not provide details of the civilians reported…

Summary

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