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

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1228

Location

صبيخان, Sabikan, car, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A father and his young son were killed and a number of other civilians wounded after an airstrike hit the man’s pick-up truck in Sabikhan in Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. However it was contested who was responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Al Hasaka Rasd also reported that the man’s childwas killed…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1229 RS2345

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
Three people were reportedly wounded following airstrikes in Ma’dan on the eastern border of Raqqa governorate. However it was contested as to who was responsible. One source, Shaam News Network, claimed that the airstrikes caused a “massacre” and that 12 civilians were killed. However it was at odds with nine other sources which reported the…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–12
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1230

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A number of sources shared images and videos documenting an alleged white phosphorous bombardment of Raqqa by the Coalition and reported that a “several” civilians were wounded and killed. Eldorar News claimed that up to 20 civilian were killed, but was the only source to go into further detail about civilian casualties. Hadi Al Abdullah…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–20
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1231

Location

السبخة, Sabka, Raqqa, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed and a number of others were injured following alleged Coalition artillery fire on Sabka. Baladi News and Al Etihad Press reported that the four were killed after their car was targeted while traveling on the road which connects Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. Three of the six sources which…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1232

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of an elderly civilian male in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1233

Location

نزلة شحادة, Nazlat Shahada, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 13 civilians including between 1 and 5 children from two families died in Coalition airstrikes on Nzalat Shahada, according to local media. 11 of the victims were reportedly from the same family. A year later the US-led alliance accepted responsibility for the deaths. According to the joint Amnesty/Airwars report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–13
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident