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

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1151a

Location

الحسينية, Al Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Coalition airstrikes allegedly struck the towns of Al Husseiniya, Baghiliya, Mara'iyah around the same time. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that International Coalition warplanes shelled areas in Al-Husseiniya, killing two men in in Al-Husseiniya and wounding an unknown number of others. Not other details are known. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CI800

Location

دگة بركة, Mosul, Dakat Barka, Nineveh, Iraq
A local monitor reported the deaths of four named civilians after their home in Dakkat Barka was shelled by an unknown source. Mosul Ateka reported “The death of Mus’ab Talal al-Qasab (the son of Mukhtar Daga Baraka), his son, his sister and his sister’s daughter. Their bodies are still under the rubble, while the rest…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1145

Location

كسرة سرور, Kasrat Srour, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian males were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Kasrat Sarour to the south of Raqqa, local sources reported. Almost all sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1146

Location

الزيانات, Al Zaynat, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to ten civilians belonging to two families, which included six children, were killed and several others were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Ziyanat in the southern Hasaka countryside, local sources reported. Zaman al Wasl reported that the alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted ISIL vehicles near the shop and homes of the two families…

Summary

Published
3 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1147

Location

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Seven civilians were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Marqadah in the southern Al Hasaka area, local sources reported. All three sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible, though it has publicly reported no actions in the vicinity that day. No further details were available. In its own assessment of the claim,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1148

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa, local sources reported. All five sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said that there were a total of 15 strikes in the day. Mr al Anzi was said to be an IDP from…

Summary

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