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

28 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1288

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to nine civilians, many from the same family, died in airstrikes which reportedly hit civilian homes in Al Tayba, according to local media. While most sources pointed towards the Coalition, a number did not identify the warplanes responsible, while one report alleged that the Assad regime was to blame. 7al provided the most detail…

Summary

Published
28 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
18–36
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1289

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One named civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a home which had reportedly been seized by ISIS and was being used as a prison, local sources reported. Sources said that the home of Farouq Al-Mashouh was being used as an ISIS prison. Euphrates Post and SHRC named Laith Allawi al-Jabr, one of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1290

Location

غرانيج, Graneej, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians died and several more were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Granejj town, according to local media. While some sources said that there was not yet any news on the death toll, Jisrtv, Syrianpc and Step News Agency were among those who attributed the event to the Coalition, reporting that three non-combatants…

Summary

Published
28 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1291 RS2373

Location

ميادين, Mayadin, Al Masaken, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian died and several others were wounded in airstrikes on Al Mayadin, according to local media – though it is unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. According to Euphrates Post, “The International Alliance launched several air raids around 7am targeting the Al Masaken area near the mosque of Othman bin…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1292

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians died in alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes on Raqqa, according to local media. @abumuazalraqqa and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that a Coalition airstrike was responsible for the death of Fathi al-Nusan. Initially the name 'Haj Ahmed Laila Salim Ali' was also reported in connection to this incident, but the name…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1293

Location

جامع الشهداء, Al-Shuhada Mosque, Raqqa, Syria
One unnamed civilian reportedly died in artillery shelling in the area of Al-Shuhada mosque, according to local media. Airwars understand that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa, therefore they would be responsible if this munition was in fact used. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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