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

29 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1295

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
According to Euphrates Post, two civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah. Hasaka Marsad also named these two victims and blamed the Coalition for their deaths. This event might or might not be related to the two events that the Coalition has admitted responsibility for — see S1138b and S1138c below. In their…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 July 2017

Incident Code

CI816

Location

عنه, Anah, Gas station and ice factory, Al Anbar, Iraq
Residents and press sources said that heavy airstrikes targeted the ice factory and gas station in Anah district west of Anbar and some reports said a number of civilians were killed or injured. According to Yaqein, the aerial bombardment targeted the ice factory and the gas station in the Ana district, west of Anbar. The…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1296 RS2376

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six civilians died and 10 more were wounded in airstrikes on Abu Kamal, according to local sources. While the majority of reports blamed the US-led Coalition for the airstrikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it was unclear whether the Coalition or Russia were responsible. The Coalition later confirmed having unintentionally killed three…

Summary

Published
29 July 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1297 RS2375

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On July 29, 2017, several civilians were reportedly wounded in an airstrike on the main road to Al-Mayadin garage, local media reported, though it was unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were responsible for the incident. Radio AlKul reported that “several civilians were injured by flying cluster bombs near the garage in Al Mayadin”.…

Summary

Published
29 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
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

29 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1298

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 to suppress an ISIS defensive fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Coalition officials told Airwars that this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1287

Location

حي الثكنة, Al Thakana, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died in Raqqa’s Al Thaakan neigbourhood – though it was unclear whether Coalition artillery or an SDF mortar were to blame. Ahmad Al Rfaai posted in the on Documentary of victims of Ar Raqqa Facebook group, saying that Haj Ahmad Lyla Salim al-Ali was his grandfather and died in his home after…

Summary

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