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

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1272

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One woman died in an alleged Coalition air or artillery strike on Raqqa, local media reported. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, A civilian female was killed after Coalition warplanes allegedly “fired missiles” into the city of Raqqa, However, Lwaa Usod Al Kalamon referred to her as “a daughter of the city of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1273 RS2365

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that 18 civilians had died and up to 50 had been wounded in the last 48 hours – however, sources were conflicted as to whether the deaths were caused by the US-led Coalition or Russia. It should also be noted that these are general numbers and Airwars has not yet been able…

Summary

Published
25 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
18
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1266

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of one woman and the injuring of her child in an alleged Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling in Raqqa – though one source said that she died in shelling by ISIS. According to Revolution Coordination Committee in Palmyra “the young woman Khadija Nasreddin Fahad Al-A’mawi, died as a result of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1267

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of one male civilian. Reports said he was killed by artillery shelling. It is Airwars understanding that only the Coalition is using artillery in Raqqa. Other sources – all blaming artillery shelling for the man’s death – said that he had been captured by IS and detained for the past…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1268

Location

حي الدرعية, Dari’eya, Raqqa, Syria
Seven civilians from the same family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Dari’eya neighbourhood. According to Baladi, the victims died when their home was struck by the Coalition. Shahbapress added that an unspecified number of other civilians were injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, who also attributed the event to the Coalition,…

Summary

Published
25 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1268a RS2367

Location

الخميسية, Al-Khamesiya, Raqqa, Syria
A mother and child were killed in an airstrike on the neighbourhood of Al-Khamesiya. Although sources explain it was a mother and child, the mother was 17 years old, so Airwars have classified her as a child.  Most sources blamed Russian aircraft for this event, however, the wording of a Baladi report suggested that the…

Summary

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