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

28 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1110

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An August 2017 Amnesty International report initially stated that a civilian casualty incident occurred in Raqqa on June 8th, killing 6 to 9 civilians – including 1 or 2 women and 3 to 5 children. This was later corrected to June 28th – with the Coalition accepting responsibility for eight deaths 13 months later. Amnesty…

Summary

Published
28 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1111

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to four people were reportedly killed and several others (believed to be four) were injured in the rural areas of Al Soussa, Al Salhiya and Ghranij in Deir Ezzor following alleged Coalition airstrikes over several days, local sources reported. Airstrikes on Al Soussa are believed to have taken place on June 25 and airstrikes…

Summary

Published
28 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1112 RS2304

Location

Al Lattoum village, Homs, Syria
One child died and several members of his family were injured in an airstrike on Al Lattoum village, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition (against which there was just one allegation), Russia or the Syrian regime. Alsoukhnaalhadath reported the death of…

Summary

Published
28 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1113

Location

كسرة عفنان, Kasrat Afnan, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians, including a man and a woman, were reportedly killed by mortar fire in the village of Kasrat Afnan, south of Raqqa, however it was not clear who was responsible. Jisr TV, Shahba Press and the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that ISIL were responsible for the deaths whereas Al Hasaka Arabea stated…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1114

Location

كسرة عفنان, Kasrat Afnan, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians were allegedly killed in Coalition airstrikes in the village of Kasrat Afnan, local sources reported. Sharqiya Voice and Al Hasaka Arabea reported that three males were killed as they returned from inspecting their property in Al Dahmoush village after they believed they may have been damaged in airstrikes there. Both sources also reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1115

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported “The martyrdom of “Ali Abdul-Ali al-Jasha’am” after the coalition aircraft targeted his car while he was transporting wounded civilians following the bombardment of the city of Raqqa.” According to the Syrian Network for…

Summary

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