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 Codes

CS1137 RS2310

Location

المجاوده, Majawdeh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and a number of others were injured following airstrikes on Majawdeh, roughly 85km southeast of Deir Ezzor. However responsibility was contested. The victim was identified by a number of sources, which also reported that his wife and daughter were injured. The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that the wife…

Summary

Published
1 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1144a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was reportedly to be killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The report stated that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1138

Location

البوليل, Buleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A 12-year-old girl  was killed following an airstrike on Al Buleil to the east of Deir Ezzor. However it was not clear who was responsible. The eight sources reporting the incident did not make any allegations as to who was responsible. Euphrates Post reported that the airstrike took place near the Abu Dilu petrol station,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CI795

Location

النبي جرجيس, Mosul, Nabi Jarjis, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources quoted witnesses as saying that an entire family – consisting of nine people – died after airstrikes hit their houses in the Nabi Jarjis area of Old Mosul. Iraq News and others said that there were women and children among the dead. The sources did not say who had carried out the…

Summary

Published
1 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1139

Location

جامع الصفا, near the Al-Safa Mosque, Al Dar'ia, Raqqa, Syria
Sources reported that up to 18 civilians, including several women and children, were killed in alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes on the Al Dar’yra neighbourhood of Raqqa, near the Al Safa Mosque. All 18 sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. A number of the dead were buried under the rubble…

Summary

Published
1 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–14
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1128

Location

كسرة محمد علي, Kasrat Mohhamed Ali, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the village of Kasrat Muhammed Ali to the south of Raqqa, local sources reported. All five sources documenting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

Summary

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