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

9 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1357

Location

الرقة, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Eleven civilians were reported killed and “dozens” injured following alleged US-led Coalition attacks on the city of Raqqa – though these were general numbers for civilian casualties and there was the possibility that the figure could include other casualty events. Local sources described the event as an “aerial bombardment” in which the Coalition “launched raids…

Summary

Published
9 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–11
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1358

Location

شارع البريد, Al Bareed neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that four civilians were killed and five others wounded in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes, in al Bareed neighbourhood, Raqqa. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

Published
9 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1359

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two children were killed and many others wounded in strikes on al Tayba village, according to numerous local sources. At present it is unclear who was responsible for the incident; some sources have cited Russia and the regime, whilst others held the Coalition suspect. A Tweet by @palestinedam said that “the death of a child…

Summary

Published
9 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
31
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1360

Location

البجري, Al Barji and other areas, Raqqa, Syria
Summarising a 48 hour period, local sources said that 47 civilians were killed and 50 injured in alleged airstrikes on the city of Raqqa. Two of the eight sources specifically blamed the US-led Coalition for the civilian casualty incidents. Activists told Smart News that “the city had been hit by more than 43 airstrikes, in…

Summary

Published
9 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
47
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 August 2017

Incident Code

CI825

Location

Etwiem, Nineveh, Iraq
According to multiple sources, member of Iraq’s parliament reported killed along with 3 of his family members followed an alleged Coalition strike. Abdul Rahman Ellewizi MP reported that his cousin was killed in a Coalition raid, also his wife, son and his daughter-in-law dead Hawas Al Gader also reported the deaths of Mr al-Nayef and his wife…

Summary

Published
9 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1361

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Orient news and Smart news reported the death of as many as ten civilians and wounding of others in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa’s Tawasu’iya, Fardous, and Bedo neighbourhoods. Amnesty has since conducted field research in Raqqa and we understand that this figure might possibly be lower than first reported.  There was, however, uncertainty over…

Summary

Published
9 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident