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

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1376

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that Mrs Khatoon Abdul Wahab Al – Khader Al – Fahad, the wife of the late Haj Mustafa Al Daham Al Badran, died on August 20th from wounds sustained in an alleged Coalition airstrike on August 16th.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1377

Location

Wahda, Nahda and Bedu areas, Raqqa, Syria
Between 14 and 17 people were killed, and 30 to 74 injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local media said. According to reports, the neighbourhoods of “Wahda and Nahdha and the Bedu” were targeted. Raqqa24 tweeted that the civilian deaths were a result of “bombing by Coalition aircraft” and SANA, the Syrian Arab News…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
14–17
Civilians reported injured
30–74
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1379a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In Amnesty and Airwars’ joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars generally assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", our researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The Amnesty report noted…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1378 RS2399

Location

صبيخان, Subikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources said that up to six civilians were killed and up to ten more wounded in airstrikes on the town of Subikhan in the countryside of Eastern Deir Ezzor. It was unclear which party was culpable for this civilian casualty event. At present, two out of sixteen sources hold the US-led Coalition responsible, two…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1379 RS2398

Location

زباري, Al Zabari, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an airstrike on Al-Zabari, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia was to blame for the raids. There were no reports of wounded civilians. Sharqya Voice, Saud Sbekhan and Alarby blamed the Coalition. But according to the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1373

Location

Baladi Stadium and Muawiya School District, Raqqa, Syria
Between six and ten people were reported killed including 2 or more children, in an “aerial bombardment” on the city of Raqqa. At present nearly all of the sources allege that the US-led Coalition was responsible for the incident. Significant material destruction was caused to the Baladi Stadium area and the School District of Muawiya…

Summary

Published
15 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident