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

21 August 2017

Incident Code

CI833

Location

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that more than 30 civilians were killed in an aerial bombardment on Tal Afar, west of Mosul, Nineveh. A single source, Omara Al Halbusi, blamed the US-led Coalition for the attack, which he claimed destroyed houses and the civilians inside. The other sources tracked by Airwars did not specify any particular faction…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1401

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and other local sources reported that 78 civilians were killed in alleged US-led Coalition and SDF artillery strikes during the past 24 hours on the city of Raqqa. It is important to note that these are general civilian casualty numbers, and could encompass other civilian casualty entries.

Summary

Published
21 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
78
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1402

Location

Tawassouiya, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian, named as Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumair, was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. There are no other details at this time. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their reported noted: "After review of all available strike records it was determined that more…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1403

Location

البدو, Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
In a major casualty event, between 18 and 50 civilians reportedly died and up to 56 more were wounded – many of them women and children – as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa’s Bedo neighbourhood, local media reported. According to Baladi, “20 civilians, including women and children, were killed and dozens of…

Summary

Published
21 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
18–50
Civilians reported injured
12–56
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1404

Location

الحديقة البيضا,البدو, Ar Raqqah: Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
A whole family of eight people was reported killed in Raqqa as a result of alleged US-led Coalition strikes. The family were displaced persons from the city of Palmyra. Other civilians were suspected injured following the attack. All sources tracked held the US-led Coalition responsible for the incident. Syrian Press Center said it was “a…

Summary

Published
21 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1396

Location

دوار النعيم, Naim roundabout, Raqqa, Syria
In a major civilian casualty event, between 23 and 50 civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in the Bedo neighborhood of Raqqa, local media reported. However, in May 2019 the Coalition announced that it had classed the civilian harm allegations as non-credible, noting "after a review of all available strike records it was determined…

Summary

Published
20 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
23–50
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident