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

4 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1155

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
A woman was reportedly killed during the SDF’s invasion of Ratla, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported. However no further details were given. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: "After review of all available strike records it was determined that more likely than not civilian casualties did…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1157

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported. Both sources who reported the death alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

4–5 July, 2017

Incident Code

CS1158

Location

تل الجاير, Tall al-Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least 11 people and as many as 15, including three children and two women, were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the village of Tall al-Jayer, local sources reported. Several described the deaths as a “massacre”. Two unidentified people were also reported killed not including the named civilians listed below. All nine sources reporting the incident…

Summary

Published
4 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11–15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2017

Incident Code

CI801

Location

الميدان, Mosul, Medan, Nineveh, Iraq
On January 13th, a local monitor reported the deaths of three civilians and 3 injured after their home in Medan, Old Mosul was shelled by an unknown source on July 4th. Mohammed Satter Rejab explains that his mother, sister and her husband were killed in an airstrike and he was himself injured along with his…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1152

Location

Abu Hamda, Al Hassakah, Syria
Seven civilians were killed as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on the village of Abu Hamda in Al Hasaka, local sources reported. Al Hasaka Center Media reported that the airstrikes targeted the house of Ahmad al Alawi and that those killed were internally displaced refugees from the villages of Al Dhib and al Thaweebah.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1153

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male identified as killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, Ahmed al Shibli reported. It is possible that Mr al Zaher may have been killed or injured in an earlier incident on June 28th where brothers with the same surname were killed, but that his name was not identified until now. No further…

Summary

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