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

20 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1243 RS2352

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
At least 11 people, including children, were killed and a number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Ma’dan in eastern Raqqa governorate. However it was contested as to who was responsible. Step News Agency alleged that the Coalition had caused the deaths, while an ISIL propaganda video alleged that Russia was to blame. The…

Summary

Published
20 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1238

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A woman was killed and her son was injured following alleged SDF shelling into Raqqa, local sources reported. The deceased woman was identified as the wife of Hamza Mohammed al Fahd and her injured son was identified as Mohammed al Fahd. Al Sokhna claimed Mrs al Fahd’s unnamed daughter was injured. Both sources alleged that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1239

Location

البوليل, Al Bouliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post reported that a civilian male was killed in airstrikes on the town of Al Bouliyal in Deir Ezzor, however it did not make any claims with regards to who was responsible. Alaraby said that people “were killed by artillery and air raids on the town of al-Bolil and Deir al-Zour” but gave no…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1240

Location

الجميلي, Ar Raqqah: Jumaili neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
A father and a son were reported killed in the Al Jumeila neighbourhood of Raqqa, with sources indicating that Coalition artillery fire was likely responsible. Four sources – Raqqa Ahluna, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Baladi News and @Soheb1700 – alleged that SDF artillery fire was responsible. However Airwars is aware that the SDF…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1236 RS2348

Location

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 22 civilians including as many as 11 children died in airstrikes on Zor Shamer, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. There were no reports of injured civilians. @eldorar, Syrian free army, Ahmad Shibli and the Smart News Agency pointed…

Summary

Published
19 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–22
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1237 RS2349

Location

قرية الجبلي, Al Jabli, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male and a female were killed following airstrikes in the Al Jabli village in Raqqa governorate. However, it was contested as to who was responsible, with some sources blaming Russia, while others blamed the US-led Coalition. Al Sabkha reported on the "martyrdom of the sister Khadija Yousef Al-Hamoud Al-Akla was resident in her…

Summary

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