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

31 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1310

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to SANA on August 1st, the official Syrian news agency, “US coalition planes killed 60 civilians in raids on villages and towns in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour during the past few hours.” However, Euphrates Post “noted that the news reported by the media of the regime is totally untrue”.

Summary

Published
31 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
60
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2017

Incident Code

CI817

Location

راوة, Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to residents and press, four civilians from the same family were killed in Rawa following an airstrike targeted their house. The sources identified the victim family by name as Jamal Saeed Ali Abu Khalid  None of the sources identified who was responsible for the airstrike.

Summary

Published
30 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2017

Incident Code

CI818

Location

الحويجة, Hawija, Kirkuk, Iraq
Local press sources said that 10 civilians from the same family were killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit their house in the Hawija district on Sunday 30th July. Kawsar Agency and Team of Correspondents said that the family died as a result of US shelling on their home. According to Team of Correspondents,…

Summary

Published
30 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1300

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
The child, Yousef Haj Abdullah, was named as a victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, by multiple local sources. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1301

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians died in air and artillery or mortar shelling in Raqqa, according to local sources. Alraqqa Ahlna  listed two civilians as killed by air and artillery strikes. Mohammed Ali Swaid was named as dead “after being hit by a mortar shell from SDF militia on al Thakana”, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. Airwars…

Summary

Published
30 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1299

Location

الرقة‎, near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Coalition officials told Airwars that their report…

Summary

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