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

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1311

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1316a RS2384

Location

الخميسية, Al-Khamesiya, Raqqa, Syria
A "number" of civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike in al Khamissiya, east of Raqqa City - though it was not clear who was responsible. Some sources attributed responsibility to the Coalition, some to Russia and some to Assad's regime. Raqqa24 reported that there was "mass destruction" in al Khamissiya from Coalition aircraft…

Summary

Published
1 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1312

Location

حارة البوسرايا, Al Bousraya area, Mo'ataz street, Raqqa, Syria
In a major casualty incident, between 10 and 50 civilians died, including entire families, and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the Al Bousraya area of Raqqa, according to local sources. Since further research was conducted by Amnesty it appears only 16 civilians were living in the building which was struck.…

Summary

Published
1 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–50
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1313 RS2383

Location

مقلة, Muqla, banks of Euphrates, Raqqa, Syria
Several civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on boats on the Euphrates river near the village of Makla, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame for the casualties. According to Sound and Picture, “Coalition aircraft targeted civilian boats along the banks of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1314

Location

الرقة‎, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was named as killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike by multiple local sources. According to Palmyra Revolution Coordination Committee, “Mr. Abdul Razzaq Ali Kanawi, displaced from the city of Palmyra, was killed when his house was targeted by aircraft of the international coalition in the city of Raqqa yesterday. Some of his…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CS1315

Location

حي التوسعية, Al Tawwassoui'ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Eleven members of the same family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their home in Raqqa’s Al Tawwassoui'ya neighbourhood, according to local media. AlRaqqa Ahlna, Sohaeb Al Haskwi and Haska Rasd reported the deaths of 10 civilians, naming 3. However, the majority of sources put the death toll at 12: Haitham Khaldun Sheikh Makhlaf,…

Summary

Published
1 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–14
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident