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

15 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1374

Location

Al Meshrab, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four to six civilians were killed in alleged airstrikes in the town of Al-Mesrab in the Western suburb of Deir Ezzor, according to local media. Sources initially reported only the death of Saleh al-Hamad al-Saud. However the number of fatalities later rose to at least four. The event was described by the Euphrates Post as…

Summary

Published
15 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1375a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", 11 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The family names Thalji and Sueri…

Summary

Published
15 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1372

Location

Central neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources said that 23 civilians were killed and 60 injured after alleged US-led Coalition strikes targeted neighbourhoods of Raqqa. Sound and Picture reported that the “SDF militia” had engaged in the offensive during the daytime with “intensive artillery”, whilst the US-led Coalition conducted airstrikes in the night. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has…

Summary

Published
14 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
23
Civilians reported injured
50–60
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1372a

Location

al-Badu , Raqqa, Syria
According to several local sources and field research by Amnesty International, a mother and her three children were killed in al-Badu, Raqqa, as an alleged Coalition airstrike hit their building. Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality found that  "a double air strike killed nine civilians from two families…

Summary

Published
14 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1372b

Location

al-Badu, Raqqa, Syria
In this single-source event, a family of five, including two children and one woman, were killed as alleged Coalition airstrike hit a house in which the family had sought shelter in, in al-Badu, Raqqa, Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality, reported. Amnesty's field researcher reported that the family was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1369

Location

Badu neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Numerous local sources reported the death of civilian Mahmud Abdul Latif Al-Humaidi. A Hasaka Rasd report said that “the death of Haj Mahmud Abdul Latif Al-Humadi was caused by “artillery shelling originating from Kurdish units”. The same description of events was supplied by Sharqiya Voice. Other sources such as Ahmad Shbli blamed the US-led Coalition…

Summary

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