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

23 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1408 RS2413

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On August 23, 2017, six members of the Lafi family were among up to 11 civilians reported killed in air raids on the city of Mayadin, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or even Russia were responsible. Although Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported…

Summary

Published
23 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–11
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1409

Location

Mulla Zaid near Tal Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
Twelve civilians were reported killed in an alleged US-led Coalition airstrike near the village of Mulla Zaid, close to Tal Jayer town. The dozen people who died were travelling in a vehicle, described as a “closed car” or “van”, when they were hit. Zamanalwasl referred to the victims as displaced people though did not mention…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1398

Location

Sukhani neighbourhood, near Hani mosque, Raqqa, Syria
In a major casualty incident, as many as between 33 and 60 civilians, including many women and children, died following US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al-Sakhani, Raqqa. Almost a year later the US-led alliance accepted responsibility for 33 deaths. According to Baladi, the strike was near the Al-Hani mosque, while Qasioun reported that one of the…

Summary

Published
22 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
33–60
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1405

Location

الملاهي, near Malahi (amusement park), Raqqa, Syria
A major civilian casualty event in which 40 to 50 or more people reportedly died, and between 60 and 100 people injured, followed US-led Coalition airstrikes in conjunction with artillery shelling, alleged local sources. The offensive targeted the Malahi (Amusement Park) district of Raqqa City and obliterated a four-storey residential building, where more than 40…

Summary

Published
22 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
40–50
Civilians reported injured
60–100
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1406

Location

various villages south of Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Airstrikes hit Markada and the villages of Al-Dushisha, Rakhsh, Al-Zaynat and Al-Fadghmi, in the south of Al-Hasaka, according to local sources. The US-led Coalition was alleged to have conducted the strikes. Specific casualty numbers were unknown, however, according to the Al Qaeda-linked group Tahrir Al Sham, which claimed that “the International Alliance launched air raids…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1407

Location

حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria
A man was killed and five of his family injured following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Rumaila, Raqqa. According to Hasaka Rasd and Syrianfreearmy, “his wife and four children injured” in the attack. Ahmad Shbli reported an “intensive artillery bombardment” of the Al-Badu, Nahda and Rumaila areas of the city, but made no mention of…

Summary

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