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 Code

CS1179

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. On July 9th, Palmyra Media Centre reported “The death of a young man, Mohammed Ibrahim Ali al-Qashim, displaced from the city of Palmyra, as a result of his wounds as a result of the raids of the international Coalition on…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CI803

Location

عنة الجديدة والريحانة, New Anah and Al Rayhana, Al Anbar, Iraq
Seven civilians were reportedly killed and several others were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on New Anah in western Anbar Province, two local sources reported. Noor al Mustafa Hayder Dawoud, one of the sources, also reported that the house of Ossman Azzawi, the al Sayed household, Hajji Sayf’s household, Sheikh Nayef’s household, Al Maher Radi’s…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CI804

Location

مكاوي, Makkawai, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
A father and son died as a result of being buried under the rubble in Makkawi, Old Mosul, reported Nineveh Media Center, following likely Coalition airstrikes. Four families in total were trapped under the rubble, but Iraqyoon News Agency reported that most were still alive. The families were believed to be trapped in the basement…

Summary

Published
7 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
16–36
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1168

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian males were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes which hit their home in Raqqa, local sources reported. Three of the six sources which reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Ammesty field research reported that "Two members of the al-Ali, family were killed in a first strike, while sheltering on the ground…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1169

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two unnamed children died in alleged Coalition airstrike and/or artillery strikes on Raqqa, according to local media. All sources blamed the Coalition, with Al Hasaka Rasd referring specifically to “US air strikes and artillery”. The original source of the claim may have been ISIS. As Sharqiya Post noted, “Ar Raqqa Daesh announced the martyrdom of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1170

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria
One to three civilians were killed in alleged artillery shelling on the Alhadiqa Al Baysa’a neighbourhood of Raqqa (or possibly Tawaso’eya), local media reported – though one report said that one victim was shot. A civilian male was named as a victim in multiple reports. Sources alleged that he was killed in SDF shelling, however,…

Summary

Published
7 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident