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

20 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1395

Location

حديقة المرورية, Al Hadika al Mororia, Raqqa, Syria
Local media sources reported that Ghassan al-Shammati was killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrike in Raqqa. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed the US for the attack, whilst Hasaka Rasd referred to “artillery bombardment” as the form of attack. According to Hnoda4474, the victim died “after the bombing by Coalition aircraft in the area of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1387

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One man named Mohammed Khair Chalwan was killed in an alleged airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. Ahmad Shbli directly blamed the Coalition for his death, while other sources referred to an “aerial bombardment”.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1388

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Ar Raqqah: Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria
One man, named as Omar al-Kafri, was killed in an alleged US-led Coalition strike in Raqqa, local sources said. It was reported by Raqqa r_w_b that Omar al-Kafri was struck nearby “the house of his family, beside the Al Hadika Al Bayda while distributing water from the well he had dug with his neighbours”. All…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1389

Location

Al Jazza'a, Al Hassakah, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident, between 15 and 41 people reportedly died following an alleged US-led Coalition strike on Al Jazza’a [or al-Helo] village. The civilians were leaving Asr prayer at the village mosque when they were hit, local media sources reported. According to Hasaka Rasd and multiple other sources, “the village was not…

Summary

Published
19 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
21–41
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1390

Location

Dashisa, Al Hassakah, Syria
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the death of two people following alleged US-led Coalition strikes in Al-Dashisha in southern Hasaka. According to the single source, “a man and his wife, were killed by bombing by warplanes believes to be related to the International Coalition”.

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CI828

Location

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local media sources reported on the death of an unknown number of civilians following alleged airstrikes on Anah district in Anbar Province. The head of the district council, Abdul Karim al-Ani, called on the government to stop the shelling because it targets the homes of unarmed civilians and has led to deaths and injuries. All…

Summary

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