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

CS1294

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple reports said that 99 civilians died and approximately 120 had been wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa within the last 72 hours. These numbers, however, are general numbers and Airwars has not, so far, been able to break them down to specific locations. Al Hasaka Rasd, @raassaf77, @freedom_raqqa1, @mogthdarqqat, @alksndr111, @Mohamma26725093 produced carbon…

Summary

Published
28 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–99
Civilians reported injured
0–120
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2017

Incident Code

CI814

Location

الطارمية, Tarmiyah, al Baghdadi, Baghdad, Iraq
According to many sources, up to six civilians died and others reported injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tarmiyah North in Baghdad. Sources said that a drone strike targeted the home of Tarmiyah council member Jameel Al Shermeet and a gathering of young people at the Narjes restaurant at 10.25pm. The source revealed 6 victim names and…

Summary

Published
27 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
4–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2017

Incident Code

CI815

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Residents and press sources said that 13 civilians were killed and others injured by alleged Coalition airstrikes which reportedly targeted houses in the Qaim district, west of Anbar. Yaqein reported: Coalition aircraft bombed areas in the city of Qaim (350 km west of Ramadi), causing extensive damage, a press source said in a statement. The…

Summary

Published
27 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1281

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One girl died in a airstrike or artillery or mortar shelling of Raqqa, according to local sources. The majority of sources blamed US-led Coalition airstrikes for the girl’s death. Hasaka Rasd, however, said that mortar shells also fell on neighbourhoods in Raqqa, While Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1282 RS2371

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 48 civilians died and 40 were injured in alleged air and artillery strikes by the Coalition and the SDF in Raqqa, according to local media. However, sources did not specify the locations for these deaths and these are therefore general numbers. Additionally, one source Watan reported that there had been Russian actions in…

Summary

Published
27 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
48
Civilians reported injured
40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1283

Location

شارع تل ابيض, Tal Abyad street, Raqqa, Syria
Sharqiya Voice reported a “massacre due to an aerial bombardment by the international coalition onTal Abyad Street, killing eight civilians and wounding dozens”. Alraqqa_ahlna and AlhasakaArabia blamed a Coalition airstrike for the deaths. However, Freedom_raqqa1 reported that “mortar shells” landed in Tal Abyad street, while P_center_sy1 blamed SDF mortar shells for the death and injury…

Summary

Published
27 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident