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

4 August 2017

Incident Code

CI822

Location

العباسية, Al Abbasiyah, Kirkuk, Iraq
According to a local report, civilians were killed followed airstrikes on Salah ad Din Province. Yaqein reported that a number of civilians were killed as a result of ongoing attacks by government forces and international coalition aircraft. The report also cited militias fighting in the area and said that indiscriminate and heavy shelling had killed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1329 RS2387

Location

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Buweitiya, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources have reported that on August 4, 2017, between three and six civilians were reportedly killed in an aerial bombardment on Al-Buweitaya in the western suburb of Deir Ezzor. Some sources have alleged that the US-led Coalition was responsible, however, other sources attributed the attack to the regime, and some to Russia. According to…

Summary

Published
4 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1330 RS2388

Location

منطقة المنجم, Al Munjem area, Al Tabani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that a minimum of four people were killed in an air raid in al Tabani. One report from Smart totalled the number of victims at seven. The majority of sources asserted that the strikes were carried out by Russian forces, or as reported by Step news agency, ‘#russian-owned’ aircraft. According to…

Summary

Published
4 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1331

Location

ﻗﺮﻳﺔ ﺍﻟﺤﻤﺎﺩﻱ, Al Hammadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two named children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a school in the village of al Hammadi in the al Shadadi countryside, according to local media. Multiple sources reported that the Haddaj Sharqi school was struck by the Coalition, killing two children.

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1332

Location

شارع النور, Al Noor street, Raqqa, Syria
One female civilian was named as killed in a “bombardment” on Al Noor street, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of available evidence of civilian harm: "Aug. 4, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via Airwars report.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1326

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was killed in shelling in Raqqa, according to local media. Only one source – Usama Al Taleb – directly blamed the Coalition, and therefore an SDF mortar/rocket attack cannot be ruled out for causing the man’s death. As reporting deteriorated within the city the date of death was vaguely reported, falling within a…

Summary

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