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

6 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1164

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An elderly civilian male was reportedly killed in artillery fire on Raqqa, multiple local sources reported. Sources alleged that the SDF was responsible. However Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery, therefore must be responsible if reporting is correct. According to the Smart News Agency, “activists said that the SDF, which surrounds…

Summary

Published
6 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1165

Location

مدرسة خالد بن وليد, Nr Khaled bin Waled school, Raqqa, Syria
A young civilian male was reportedly killed in artillery fire on Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources reported that he was killed in artillery fire by “YPG militias” which struck his house near Khaled bin al-Walid School. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery therefore they must be responsible if reporting is…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1166

Location

الفردوس, Fardous, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians from one family, including three children and their mother, were killed and two further members of the family were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the Al Ferdos neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local sources. The source also reported that Mounir al Hariri and Taher al Hariri were injured in the strikes and…

Summary

Published
6 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1165a

Location

الفردوس, near Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Raqqa. In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted the following: "the Coalition engaged ISIS fighters and an unmanned aerial vehicle launch site. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the launch site…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1167

Location

بين بلدة معدان وقرية العكيرشي, Madan - Al Akershi road, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike as they traveled in a car between the villages of Ma’adan and Al A’keirshi, local sources reported. Al;Araby was among a number of sources which noted: “Four civilians were killed by an air strike targeting a vehicle they were traveling on Al-Akirishi-Madan road.” Three of…

Summary

Published
6 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1159

Location

البوحمد, Al Bouhamad, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian males, described as “youths” were reportedly killed – and more than 20 people were wounded – in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Al Bouhamad village, local sources reported. Aleqirshi Alfuratiya reported that the deaths occurred as a result of strikes that were targeting an ISIL vehicle which was traveling on “Downtown Middle Street” to…

Summary

Published
5 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident