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

CS1316

Location

الكشكية, Al Kashkiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between one and four civilians including a child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Kashkiya village, Deir Ezzor, according to local sources. 7al reported: “Abu Ayman al-Ali, an activist from the village of Deir al-Zour, told al-Hal, said that ‘raids by international coalition forces targeted civilian houses in the center of al-Kashkiya town.”…

Summary

Published
1 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CI820a

Location

near Qadiya, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the US-led Coalition admitted on Sep. 27, 2018 that it had killed two civilians and injured two others. The monthly civilian casualty report read: "August 1, 2017, near Qadiya, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike two civilians were injured and two civilians were unintentionally killed." The Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CI819

Location

Al Qa'im, market, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local press sources said that civilians were killed or injured by airstrikes on the market in Al Qaim district west of Anbar. According to Iraq Akhbar, A number of civilians were killed and wounded by a bombing by international coalition aircraft of the market district of Qaim, west of Anbar. Local sources said that the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2017

Incident Code

CI820

Location

Tal Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
According to local sources said that civilians were killed or injured in alleged Coalition and Iraqi force airstrikes on Tal Afar city, west of Mosul. Tal Afar news agency reported that the aerial bombardment has continued in Tal Afar for the third day in a row. Civilians were confirmed dead, and the source said that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1302

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A 14-year-old boy died following an injury sustained in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. Revolution Coordination Committee in Palmyra reported “the martyrdom of the child Mohammed Ali Hassan Taha (14 years old), displaced from Palmyra, died following being injured by a shell from the bombing of the international coalition on the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1303

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death “of the children of ‘Khaled al-Issa‘ by the bombing of the international coalition aircraft on the city of Al-Raqqa.” No further details are currently available.

Summary

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