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

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1344

Location

الرقة‎, central, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition artillery strikes on Raqqa. Multiple sources described Mr Amiro as as a “judo coach and referee and head of the Technical Committee in Al Raqqa”. Al hassaka rasd, Alraqqa ahlna, @AlHasakalhadth blamed artillery for his death. Airwars understands that only the Coalition is using artillery in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1345

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Al Hadika al Bayda, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in alleged Coalition strikes in the al Hadika al Baidaa area, Raqqa city. In a Facebook post by RBSS, the names of the victims were given as Abdul Wahab Al-Issa and his wife Nawal Al-Ibrahim Al-Ahmad. All sources point towards the Coalition carrying out an air or artillery strike. Airwars…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1346

Location

المستشفى الوطني, National hospital, Raqqa, Syria
Reports claimed that ‘artillery shelling’ took place on At Watani hospital, Raqqa. The citizen journalist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently attributed the event to International Coalition Forces and the SDF, as did multiple other sources. According to a Facebook post from Al Hassaka Rasd the ambulance section of the hospital was “subjected to heavy…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1347

Location

جميعة الأطباء, Jam’iyet al Atteba, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Raqqa city. Sources stated that ‘artillery shelling’ was responsible. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery at Raqqa. The Syrian Network for Human Rights gave moe details of the two medics slain: Dr Fouad Bashir al Ajili was born in 1955…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1348

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Eighteen civilians were reported killed and thirty injured, according to local sources. It should be noted, however, that these are general numbers and may well encompass other casualty events on August 7th. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently alleged that the US-led Coalition and the SDF militia were responsible for the attacks on neighbourhoods of Raqqa.…

Summary

Published
7 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
18
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1349

Location

مديرية الكهرب, Near the electricity directorate, Raqqa, Syria
Two women from the same family, named as Ayesha Khaled Ibrahim Al Qaws and the wife of Ahmed Saghir Ibrahim Al Qaws, died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. Palmyra Revolutionary Command Council informed Airwars that the women died in a strike on Raqqa’s Electricity Directorate.

Summary

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