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 Codes

CS1234 RS2346

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
As many as 12 civilians died and dozens were injured in airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on Ma’adan, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia or event the Syrian regime were responsible. Baladi blamed artillery for the injury of “a number of civilians”, however, other sources –…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1235

Location

شارع سيف الدولة, Ar Raqqah: Saif Al Dawla street/neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Ten civilians including two women and six children from two families died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Saif al Dawla, according local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported the “massacre of two families, killing 10 people, in a Coalition strike in the neighbourhood of Saif Al Dawla at midnight last night.” It…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1221

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
The civilian male was killed by shelling in Raqqa by three local sources. Al Hassaka Rasd said the was killed “as a result of artillery shelling originating from the Kurdish units”, however Airwars understands that only the Coalition has artillery in Raqqa. Some caution is required, however, as the victim’s name is very similar to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1222

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of a girl in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1223

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported the death of one civilian following an “aerial bombardment”. It didn’t say who was responsible. The victim was also named by Raqqa rwb , however, the report was a carbon copy of the one published by RBSS.

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1226

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Accoridng to RFS, three members of the Awwad family died in artillery shelling on Raqqa. Raqqa rwb and Q_Alenzy named an adult male as a killed and it was reported that his wife was injured. The sources blamed the Coalition. According to Ahmad Shibli, there were more than 25 cases of leg and hand amputation…

Summary

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