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

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1196

Location

حارة ﺟﺎﻣﻊ ﺍﻟﺒﺼﺮﺍﻭﻱ, al Basrawo mosque area, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed by a declared Coalition bombing of the Al Basrawo neighbourhood of Raqqa on July 13, 2017, local sources reported. Most sources who reported the incident alleged that the US-backed SDF militias were responsible. But there was confusion: Alraqqa Ahluna initially said the victim died in an “SDF bombing”, but subsequently…

Summary

Published
13 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1224

Location

هشام عبد الملك, Ar Raqqah: Hisham Bin Abd Al Malek neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
At least 9 and up to 15 members of the Salamah family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Hisham Bin Abd al Malek neghbourhood. Local media reported this incident in July of 2017: According to Ahmad al Shibli, Marwan Al Salama and his entire family of nine people were killed when a Coalition…

Summary

Published
17 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1197

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A girl was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on her home in Raqqa, local sources reported. She was reportedly displaced from Tal Abyad in northern Raqqa governorate. All four sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1198

Location

حي الدرعية, Al Dari'ya, Raqqa, Syria
Between seven and 10 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed and a “large” number of people wounded following alleged Coalition airstrikes in the Al Dariya neighbourhood of Raqqa, local sources reported. Among the 19 sources who reported the incident, 17 alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Baladi News said that SDF artillery strikes…

Summary

Published
13 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1199

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes struck his home in Raqqa, local sources reported. Three sources reported the victim’s death. However, the reports were apparent carbon copies of each other.

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1200

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed in Raqqa, local sources reported. However it was contested as with regards to who was responsible. Sharqiya Voice reported that he died as a result of an SDF bombardment, without specifying if it was artillery or mortar fire, whereas Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported it was a result of…

Summary

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