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

24–25 August, 2017

Incident Code

CS1418a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strike in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The report stated that "Ousama…

Summary

Published
25 August 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1412 RS2414

Location

Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A woman was named as killed in an airstrike on Deir ez-Zor, though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for her death. The majority of sources blamed either Russia or the regime, however, Hasaka Rasd and Euphrates Post did not apportion blame.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1413

Location

al Der'iya, Raqqa, Syria
An adult male and his youngest daughter were killed in suspected US-led Coalition strikes on al Der’iya neighbourhood, west of Raqqa city. Out of the eleven sources collected two did not specify an actor and referred only to “shelling”, whilst nine sources blamed the US-led Coalition.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 August 2017

Incident Code

CI834

Location

الكرابلة, Mahdi school area of Karabla, Al Anbar, Iraq
Five civilians, including three women, were reported killed following airstrikes on Karabla. In particular, the Mahdi School was said to have been hit. Sources described heavy shelling by warplanes. While the Yagein news agency referred to government aircraft as the perpetrators, it was not clear from other reports who was responsible for the strike, however.…

Summary

Published
23 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1410

Location

Tib Al-Hadeeth, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tib Al Hadeeth in the city of Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. No additional details are presently known. In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm to be non-credible, noting "After a review of all available…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1411

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 16 civilians died and up to 64 were wounded in alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes in Raqqa between August 23rd and 24th, local media reported. It should be noted that these are general numbers and may encompass other casualty events; moreover, locations of these deaths in Raqqa are currently unclear. Euphrates Post…

Summary

Published
23 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
15–16
Civilians reported injured
60–64
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident