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

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1132

Location

حي الدرعية, Al Dariiya, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian female was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported. Three of the seven sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible, with the remaining four sources blaming unspecified shelling.

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1133

Location

البوسرايا, Busaraya, Raqqa, Syria
A girl was reportedly killed by shells fired into Busraya, with the Coalition or the US-backed SDF are believed to be responsible. Although reportage suggested the strike occurred on the 1t of July, Amnesty field notes suggested that it happened between the beginning of June and the end of July. According to the Amnesty and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1144

Location

بناء الحريري, Al-Hariri Building, Raqqa, Syria
Civilians from three families were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes which hit the Al Hariri building, near the Al Ateeq Mosque in Raqqa. All ten sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Despite this the Coalition has responded that there was no civilian harm as a result of Coalition action. "Thorough review…

Summary

Published
1 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1134

Location

حي المشلب, Al Mashlab, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed following airstrikes into Raqqa, local sources reported, however it was not clear who was responsible. He was reportedly from the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of the city. All five sources who reported the incident did not make any claims as to who was responsible for the airstrikes. However, only the Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1135

Location

شارع مدرسة حميدة, near Hamida School, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male who initially survived an alleged Coalition white phosphorus attack on 1 July in the neighbourhood of Hamida School in Raqqa reportedly died of his injuries on July 16th. Initial images of his injuries near the time of the attack showed he suffered from severe burns and images which appear to be taken…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1136

Location

الحصين, Hossain, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A family of five or six, including three or four children, were killed following Coalition airstrikes on Al Hossain in Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. The event was later reported to be likely either a French or Belgian airstrike - though the United States subsequently accepted blame. The Syrian Network initially put the death toll…

Summary

Published
1 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident