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

17 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1381

Location

الجميلي, Jamili Street, Raqqa, Syria
One man, identified by the Syrian Human Rights Committee as Saeed Mohammad Nashif was killed in alleged air or artillery strikes on the Jamili District of Raqqa, according to local sources. Activists who spoke to Smart News said that a civilian was killed by “artillery shelling of the Syrian Democratic Forces on the city’s Jumaili…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1382

Location

الملاهي, Malahi, Raqqa, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 20 civilians reportedly died following alleged US-led Coalition attacks on the Malahi area in Raqqa. The Coalition later confirmed having unintentionally killed three and injured nine in this strike. Local media reported on the death of 15 or more civilians after “Muawiya bin Abi Sufian” school was…

Summary

Published
17 August 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
15–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1383 ISSY001

Location

الشجرة, Al Shajra, Daraa, Syria
Up to 27 civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on the town of Al Shajra in western Daraa. According to Daraa Martyrs Documentation Center, 32 “mostly civilians” were killed when positions of Jaish Khalid bin Walid, a Salafi jihadist group, were targeted. The report claimed that the Coalition launched a long-range missile, which “targeted the…

Summary

Published
17 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
17–27
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Israeli Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1375b

Location

Raqqa: West of Mu'taaz street, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one woman was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in the area west of Al-Mu’taz street in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1442

Location

23 Shubat Street, Centre, Raqqa, Syria
Ten civilians from one family, including six women and two children, were reported killed following airstrikes by the US-led Coalition according to local sources. Reports said the strikes hit a residential building in the city of Raqqa in which the family were located, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named the victims. Syrianpc said an unknown…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1375

Location

West of Mu'Taz Street, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 30 civilians including women and children died and dozens more were wounded in a Coalition airstrike on the area west of Al-Mu’taz Street in Raqqa, according to local media. The Coalition later confirmed having unintentionally injured two civilians in this strike. All sources attributed the event to the US-led Coalition, with a number…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
13–30
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident