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

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1341

Location

البوليل, Al Bouliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male died in an airstrike on al Boulial, however, there was uncertainty regarding the date of his death. On August 9th, Euphrates Post reported "a resident of the town of Al-Boulial, died of wounds he sustained as a result of airstrikes on the water crossing in the town several days ago." Mohsen and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1341a

Location

مرقدا, Near Markada, Al Hassakah, Syria
In an event previously untracked by Airwars, in November 2018 the Coalition confirmed the death of a civilian in a strike 15 months previously. The assessment noted the following: "On Aug. 06, 2017, near Marqadah, al-Shadadi, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft struck an ISIS truck that had just attacked U.S. forces with rockets. While the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1336

Location

حي الاماسي, Al Amassi, Raqqa, Syria
Two adult male civilians and up to two children were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their home in Raqqa’s al Amassi neighbourhood, local media reported. In February 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: "Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS headquarters multistory building. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed and two civilians…

Summary

Published
6 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
0–5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1337

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died in an air or artillery or mortar strike in Raqqa, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame. However, Sharqiya Voice, Al Hadath News Agency and Syrian Press Center said that Shihab al-Din Zidan al-Azzawi died as a result of mortar shelling. Airwars understands that the SDF…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1338

Location

بلدة الكشكية, Kashkiyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Over one hundred child soldiers were killed in an alleged US-led Coalition strike on a training camp of the so-called Islamic State organisation, according to multiple sources. A report by Euphrates Post said, “The coalition warplanes attacked an [ISIS] camp in the town of al-Kashkiya in al-Sha’atiyat district, on the house of Rahim al Thalaj…

Summary

Published
6 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1339 RS2390

Location

دوار البكرة, Al Mayadin, al Bakra roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian girl  was reported killed after air strikes during the night, near Ali Bin Abi Taleb mosque in Deir Ezzor. At present there is a single allegation in a Smart report against the US-led Coalition, though this is contested in a Facebook post by Free Deir Ezzor which attributed the strikes to “Russian criminal…

Summary

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