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

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1129

Location

عكيرشي, `Ukayrishah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian males were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on `Ukayrishah to the south of Raqqa, local sources reported. Two sources, Baladi News and @24Raqqa, reported that the village was struck by an unmanned drone that was targeting an ISIL vehicle which was fleeing a nearby battle in Afnan. A number of sources said that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1130

Location

الدشيشة, Al Dashaisha, Al Hassakah, Syria
One or two civilians died and four were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Dashasisha village, according to local sources. Baladi – blaming the Coalition – put the death toll at one, with more wounded. According to Zaman Alwasl, “Coalition aircraft bombed an Islamic State prison in the town of Dashaisha east of…

Summary

Published
30 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CI793

Location

Mosul, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq
A local Facebook page and a resident said that one young man named Ahmed Hikmat al-Tai was killed and many families were still under the rubble after air strikes hit the Farouk area (near the Jewish area) in Old Mosul. Local resident Noor Alniamy called for help for several families in the Farouk area, saying…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CI794

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq
Local press and resident sources said that dozens to hundreds of civilians, including the bodies of ‘hundreds of children and women’, were under the rubble in various areas in Old Mosul. Heavy shelling and air strikes had allegedly hit their homes. Local media provided striking accounts of streets filled with dead bodies, and called for…

Summary

Published
30 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–100
Civilians reported injured
24–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1125

Location

الرافقة, Ar Rafiqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian during an attack on ISIS heavy equipment. The location given is in the residential neighbourhood of Ar Rafiqah, in the old city of Raqqa. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted, "During a strike on an ISIS heavy…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1126

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa, local sources reported. All three sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are presently known. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as "non-credible", stating…

Summary

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