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

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1227

Location

حقل العمر النفطي, Al Omar oil field, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to Euphrates Post, “violent raids by a warplane a short while ago targeted the perimeter of al Omar oil field, al Tayyana and Daranj deserts and primitive oil burners and oil tankers, resulting in huge explosions and a fire. The initial death toll is two oil workers from the neighborhood of al Boukhmis neighborhood…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1216 RS2343

Location

الكشكية, Al Kashkiya, school building, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Seven civilians were killed - including five civilians believed to be from one family - and a number of others were injured in airstrikes on the village of Al Kashkiya in eastern Deir Ezzor.  However it was contested as to who was responsible. Four sources – Radio al Kul, Micro News, Smart News Agency and…

Summary

Published
17 July 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1217

Location

جديد عكيدات, Jadid akeidat, near water plant, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported the death of two civilians and the injuring of several more in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Jadid Akeidat village. According to RFS, two male civilians died in the Coalition strike and two other civilians were wounded. The source said that the strike hit a civilian house on the outskirts of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1218

Location

أبوحمام, Abu Hamam, school and residential buildings, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that three civilians died in an alleged Coaltion airstrike which hit al Amin School in Abu Haman. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the death toll included three women. All sources pointed towards the Coalition. RFS said that “a warplane that likely belonging to the International Alliance targeted a school…

Summary

Published
17 July 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1219

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that a civilian male was killed 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

CS1220

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A one-year-old child was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, according to local sources. The date of death may have been earlier, with Abu Muaz al Raqqa tweeting that the child died “as a result of bombing coalition aircraft on the city of Raqqa several days ago.”

Summary

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