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

5 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1333

Location

السفارنة, Al-Safarna, Raqqa, Syria
At least five civilians including two children and a woman died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Al-Safarna neighbourhood, according to local media. According to Zamanalwasl, “five civilians from one family, including two children and a woman, were killed as a result of a bombardment by the international coalition forces targeting al-Safarna neighborhood east…

Summary

Published
5 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–10
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1334

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An adult male civilian was reported killed by multiple local sources. The cause of death was somewhat conflicted. Seven of the eleven sources attribute the attack to a landmine, whilst others cited the use of artillery. Airwars understands that only the US-led Coalition have access to artillery in Raqqa. In a post from Ar Raqqa…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1335

Location

الفدغمي, Al Fadaghmi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local media reported that alleged Coalition airstrikes caused widespread destruction of civilian homes and schools in al Fadaghmi village, though there was no information about civilian casualties. According to Arabyoum, “local sources said that Coalition raids caused the destruction of the majority of houses in the village of al-Fidghmi. They targeted it with high-explosive missiles…

Summary

Published
5 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2017

Incident Code

CI823

Location

الكرابلة, Al Karabila, Al Anbar, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in an event near Karabilah, Iraq. Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike which destroyed an ISIS vehicle, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured." In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1327

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 17 civilians including women and children died and 10 more were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, according to local media. Most sources put the death toll at six with 10 more injured and blamed a “US bombing” of Raqqa neighbourhoods. However, on August 5th the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “documented…

Summary

Published
4 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–17
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1328

Location

منطقة جمعية المهندسين, Jamiat al Muhandissen area in Orme al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Multiple local sources reported the explosion of a car bomb in “the second village of engineers” killing members of Haiat Tahrir al Sham [formerly Al Qaeda/ Al Nusra] and up to four civilians, as well as wounding others. According to @Elghad , “The Syrian Observatory, based in Britain, said that a car bomb exploded near…

Summary

Published
4 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident