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

16 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1210

Location

الرقة‎, multiple neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria
Seven civilians died and two others were injured, in addition to the death of four members of IS, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to the Smart News Agency. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
16 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1211 RS2339

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, multiple locations, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 11 and 14 civilians – including several women and children – were killed and dozens others were wounded in airstrikes on Al Mayadin. However it was contested as to who was responsible. Sources either blamed Russia, the Syrian regime or the US-led Coalition. More than five sources made no claims with regards to responsibility. However,…

Summary

Published
16 July 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
11–14
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1212 RS2340

Location

الصبحة, Al Subha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three to six civilians died in airstrikes on al Subha village, local media reported, though it was unclear whether the Coalition or Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “five people were martyred and three of them were charred, as a result of shelling by aircraft. It’s…

Summary

Published
16 July 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1213

Location

الرقة‎, Al Hal market, Raqqa, Syria
Between seven and 12 members of the Salah Al-Mana family were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, all of whom were reportedly civilians. Syrian Network for Human Rights added that the victims were IDP's from Mehaimda village in Deir Ez-Zour and were killed by missiles fired on Raqqa city. Local sources identified seven…

Summary

Published
16 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–12
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1214

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian males were killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported. In a report which made no reference to civilian casualties, Mohab Nasser documented that Coalition airstrikes targeted the Al Hall Market, the Old Wall and the Abu al Hayes areas of Raqqa on 16 July, which could be linked with the…

Summary

Published
16 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1215

Location

جديد عقيدات, Road near Jadid 'Uqaydat village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event near the Jadid ‘Uqaydat village, Deir Ezzor. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS vehicle, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured." Coordinates supplied by officials to…

Summary

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