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

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CI829

Location

القائم, Qaem, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local media sources reported on the death of an unknown number of civilians, after alleged airstrikes on Qeam 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
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CI830

Location

Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
As many as 300 civilians were allegedly killed and injured in Tal Afar over three days of shelling. Information on the number of lives lost was retrieved from local medical sources, who said mostly women and children were killed and wounded. According to JBC – which said that 300 civilians were killed across two days…

Summary

Published
19 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
150–300
Civilians reported injured
150–300
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1391

Location

البياطرة, al Bayatra, Raqqa, Syria
The death of a young man, named Ali Ismail al-Mu’idi, was reported by local media. His death followed an alleged US-led Coalition airstrike on the city of Raqqa. No other details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1392

Location

Al Thakana, Raqqa, Syria
One person was killed in alleged US-Coalition airstrikes, al Thakana neighbourhood, Raqqa city. Reports of his death arose only twenty days after the incident. Dchrs said he died due to “indiscriminate shelling of coalition forces”, whilst Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently accused the Coalition of “bombing…on the barracks neighbourhood”. No additional details are available at…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1393

Location

Al Sa'a, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported that two civilians died following airstrikes on Raqqa. Ibrahim Ali al-Bakar (born 1954) and his son Khalil Ibrahim al-Bakar (born 1985) were named as the victims. RBSS blamed the US-led Coalition for the incident. According to a Facebook post by Amer Alywy the father and son were killed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

CI831

Location

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of five civilians in an event near Tal Afar, Iraq. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS headquarters structure, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed." In July 2019 the Coalition…

Summary

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