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

13 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1370

Location

الرقة‎, near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an event near Raqqa. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed.” Airwars had…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1371

Location

near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of three civilians and the injury of another. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a logistics node, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed and one…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13–18 August, 2017

Incident Code

CS1429b

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Some of the names in this incident were initially reported by several sources under incident number CS1429a (Amjad Ahmed Taha Al-Suwairi, Mohammed Ayman Sweiri and Ahmad Taha Al-Omar Al Suweiri). During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org), Amnesty field researchers were…

Summary

Published
13 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
18
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1368

Location

فردوس, Ar Raqqah: Fardous neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Twelve civilians died and six more were wounded in Coalition air or artillery strikes on Raqqa, according to local media. The action was later confirmed to be a British airstrike. In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: "Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters utilizing a mortar system in a building used as…

Summary

Published
13 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1364

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An adult male, identified as Kassir Fawzi Al-Abeed Al-Nasser was reported killed in alleged airstrikes on Hatla town, Deir Ezzor. It was not entirely clear who was to blame for this civilian casualty event. However multiple sources cited Russia or the Syrian Regime, whilst two did not specify a culprit. According to a Facebook post…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1365

Location

near Imam al-Nawawi mosque, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple local sources reported the death of a female civilian after alleged US-led Coalition artillery strikes that hit the street of the family home near the Imam Al Nawawi Mosque, Raqqa City. The woman killed has been identified as Khansaa Mohammed Qantar. However, this victim is also named in incident CS1361, reportedly killed by artillery…

Summary

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