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

26 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1277 RS2370

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 15 civilians including nine people from the same family died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes near Taybah in Mayadin, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame. The Step News Agency, Smart News Agency and Zamanalwasl were among sources pointing…

Summary

Published
26 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1278

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A number of civilians were reportedly injured following an alleged Coalition airstrike in Abu Kamal in eastern Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. The strike reportedly targeted an ISIL vehicle in Al Bareed Street near the home of Mujheem al Dandal, injuring those nearby. Only one of the four sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible…

Summary

Published
26 July 2017
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1279

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between nine and 11 civilians – many from the same family- died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes on Abu Kamal, local media reported. While most reports pointed towards the US-led Coalition, a number did not identify the warplanes responsible, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that it was unclear whether the…

Summary

Published
26 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
12–25
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1280

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian near Abu Kamal, Syria. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS-held building, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Since the target of the strike was a building,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1270

Location

الفردوس, Fardous, Raqqa, Syria
A girl was killed following alleged artillery fire into the Al Fardous district of Raqqa, a number of local sources reported. The majority of the sources that reported the incident alleged that SDF militias were responsible, however Airwars is aware that only the Coalition has access to artillery fire therefore if this munition was in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1271

Location

ساحة شماس, Shammas Square, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Shammas Square in Raqqa. All sources blamed the Coalition for the victims’ deaths. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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