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

8 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1173 RS2324

Location

الموحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman possibly died in an airstrike on Mohsen village, according to local media – though it’s currently unclear who was responsible for her death. None of the sources specifically blamed the Coalition, with many referring only to “warplanes” carrying out strikes on the Al-Zaeem roundabout and the perimeter of Al-Wasat School. However, Tt1463000 said…

Summary

Published
8 July 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1174

Location

شارع المنصور, Al Mansour Street, Raqqa, Syria
A young man was reported killed in artillery shelling on Al Mansour Street in Raqqa, according to local media. Sharqiya Voice blamed the SDF, though Airwars understands that only the Coalition has deployed artillery on Raqqa. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: "After review of all available…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1175

Location

ميادين: حي الثورة, Al Mayadin, Al-Thawrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least five civilians but possibly as many as six, including three children, were killed and many others were injured in airstrikes on Al Mayadeen. However it is contested as to who was responsible. Eight of the 16 sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Two sources blamed the Russian government, one…

Summary

Published
8 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1176

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported the death of one named civilian in artillery shelling on Raqqa. Sources blamed the SDF, but Airwars understands that only the Coalition has fired artillery on Raqqa.

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1177

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
One named male civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ma’adan, Raqqa, according to local sources. @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH and @Q_Alenezy blamed the Coalition for his death. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “the International Coalition warplanes carried out after midnight a raid on areas in Ma’daan town in the eastern countryside of Al-Raqqah,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1178

Location

شارع 23 شباط, Shubat 23 Street, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was initially reported as killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes Shubat 23 Street in Raqqa by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS). However later reports confirmed that he was still alive. RBSS was the only source to report the death but subsequently deleted its Facebook post – an unusual move for the monitor…

Summary

Published
8 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident