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

8 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1355

Location

Centre, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that 14 people were killed and 35 injured after alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the city of Raqqa. Two children and two women were reportedly amongst those killed. In a report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights it was said that the civilians were killed whilst “clashes took place between the…

Summary

Published
8 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
13–14
Civilians reported injured
35
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1356

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two children were killed and up to 40 other civilians injured (mostly women and children) in airstrikes on the city of al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. The offensive struck the Fatima Al-Zahraa Women’s Hospital. It is not wholly clear at present who was responsible. Jisirtv news cited an A’amaq’s agency report which blamed…

Summary

Published
8 August 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
25–40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1356a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was 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 report stated that "Kheder Ibrahim…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1354

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
It was reported by local sources that a woman named Reham Abdul Aziz Al-Taha and all her children were killed in alleged US-led Coalition strikes on the city of Al-Raqqa. Sources did not state how many children have died. In a Facebook post by Sdc Palmyra it was asserted that the family comprised of displaced…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1342

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that Baraa Abdullah al-Haddad and his son were killed in an “airstrike”. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1343

Location

al Wadi street, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian, Mr. Abed Mahal al-Attiyah, was named as killed by a mortar shell which reportedly fell on his as he left evening prayers at al Hamza mosque, according to local media. Airwars understands that the SDF are using mortars in Raqqa, therefore they can’t be ruled out as the culprit. Additionally, a report by…

Summary

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