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

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1189

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on their home in Raqqa, according to local sources. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1190

Location

شارع 23 شباط, Sanabel Bakery at Feb 23 Street, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, “a child was killed and his mother was wounded by an artillery bombardment by the Syrian Democratic Forces on the city of Raqqa, northeast of Syria. City. Sources reported that the artillery bombardment occurred on the 23rd of February Street in the center of the city near the Sanabel…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1191

Location

شارع 23 شباط, Feb 23 Street, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of a man with a mental disability. According to Palmyra Media Centre, the victim was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. The source reported on July 12th that “the young man and his brother Marwan have been missing for several days”. However, both Baladi and Jorfnews said that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1192

Location

الرقة‎: منطقة مفرق الحصيوة, Al Hassawiya Junction (unknown location), Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed by an “SDF mortar shell” in the Al Hassiyawa junction area, according to Sharqiya Voice and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1194a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strike in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. According to the report, "Abdallah…

Summary

Published
12 July 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1185

Location

قصر البنات, Raqqah, Qasr al Banat, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died in an artillery bombardment of Qasr al Banat, according to local media. Sources said that he died after he sustained an injury in the shelling. According to Jorf News, he died from “internal bleeding”. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa.  

Summary

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