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

CS1269

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, near Al-Arbaeen Street, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least five civilians and possibly dozens more were killed and more than 17 wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Mayadin, according to local sources. 7al.net reported: “Saad al-Hamad, a resident of the city of Al-Mayadeen, told Al-Hilal’s website that the international coalition aircraft carried out more than four raids in the center of the…

Summary

Published
25 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–24
Civilians reported injured
17
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1259 RS2359

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an airstrike on Raqqa according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. Ahmad Shibli, Hasaka Rasd and @alhasakaalhadth blamed the Coalition for the victims death. However, according to Baladi, he was killed in a Russia strike. This…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1260

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of a civilian male, who it was reported was displaced from Palymyra, following an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. Mohannad Al Hamad confirmed his uncle’s death on Facebook.

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1261

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One male civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike Raqqa, according to local sources. Other reports (apparently drawn from the same source) said as many as 30 prisoners died. All reports blamed the Coalition and said that the victim – who was being detained by IS – died when an IS prison was struck.

Summary

Published
24 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1265b

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition artillery strike in Raqqa. Although Amnesty researched this incident on the ground, Airwars has decided to grade it "weak" due to the depth of material provided. According to the Amnesty report,…

Summary

Published
24 July 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1262 RS2361

Location

الميادين شارع الاربعين, Al Mayadin, Al-Arba’eeb street, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five or six civilians died in airstrikes on Al-Arba’eeb street in Al Mayadin, local media said – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition, of Russia or the Syrian regime. Step News Agency, Almayadeen, Syrianpc and Radioalkul were among the sources that pointed towards the Coalition. Almayadeen…

Summary

Published
24 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident