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

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1263

Location

الرشاد, Al Hittila, Al Rashad, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post reported the death of one civilian female in an airstrike on Al-Rashad, though it didn’t say who was responsible for her death. Alghad Al Soury blamed “the air force” – usually a reference to regime attacks.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1264

Location

صباح الخير, Sabah Al Kahir, Raqqa, Syria
According to Hasaka Rasd, “Coalition aircraft targeted a motorcycle driven by the young man Hussein al-Hassoun which led to his death, near the village of Sabah al-Alkhair, east of Raqqa, near the administrative border with Deir al-Zour”. Al Raqqa Ahlna also reported the victim’s death, however, the report was a carbon copy of that posted…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1265

Location

سوق المواشي والحبوب, Al Mayadin, Sheep market, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four members of IS died when the car they were in was allegedly struck by the Coalition, local media reported. One source, Fresh Syria, also said that an unspecified number of nearby civilians were wounded in the event. According to Fresh Syria “aircraft of the International Coalition targeted a car, believed to belong to ISIS,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24–25 July, 2017

Incident Code

CS1273a

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 alleged Coalition artillery strike in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The report stated that "Islam…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1254

Location

الجميلي, Jumaili, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that one civilian died and others were wounded in ‘artillery shelling’ by the SDF in Jumaili. However, as Airwars understands that only the Coalition use artillery in Raqqa, this event can be assessed as likely carried out by that party.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1255

Location

دير الزور, Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported multiple airstrikes across Deir Ezzor province, with Euphrates Post saying that an unspecified number of civilian casualties occurred. According to @ALSharqia24, “air raids targeted the Hamidiya, Knamat, Panorama, Baghiliya and the vicinity of the military airport.” Only one source, @TAHRIR_ALSHMA, said that the Coalition carried out the strikes. The others didn’t identify…

Summary

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