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

22 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1249

Location

Abu Khasab checkpoint, 70 km northwest of Deir al-Zour, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that one man was killed and his son was injured by a landmine as they attempted to move from Deir Ezzor to Hasakah.

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1250

Location

البچري, Bajari, old town, Raqqa, Syria
One woman died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Bajari, according to local sources. Smart News Agency and Baladi reported that “likely” Coalition raids on Bajari killed a woman. In April 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: "Coalition aircraft struck an identified Daesh mortar firing position. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1251 RS2354

Location

لصبخاوي, Sabkhawi, Raqqa, Syria
At least two civilians including one child died during a night time airstrike on Sabkhawi, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were responsible. Smart, the Shaam News Network and R.Tahrir.Alsham blamed the Coalition for the strike. However, Baladi, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1286b

Location

Ar Raqqah: Museum square, Raqqa, Syria
Investigations for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org) reported that on July 22 nine members of the Al-Zanna family were killed in a coalition air strike while sheltering in a basement under a parade of empty shops in Museum Square. Hours later another Coalition air strike…

Summary

Published
22 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1252

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died 24 hours after sustaining a shrapnel injury in Raqqa, according to local media. @AbuMuaazalraqqa reported that the victim died “as a result of being hit by shrapnel from a mortar shell fired by a SDF militia that targeted his home”. However air and artillery strikes were also reported in the vicinity…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1244

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Al Baadoum, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that the Coalition carried out multiple strikes in Mayadin, though the number of civilian casualties was unclear. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “the international Coalition carried out strikes at 6:30 am on Friday July 21st targeting a house seized by Islamic State in Mayadin”. Syrian PC said that the…

Summary

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