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

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1106

Location

نهر الفرات, Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 14 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes targeting vehicles traveling near the Euphrates River in Raqqa, where civilians were trying to gather drinking water. However it was not immediately clear whether sources were reporting on previously documented incidents or new occurrences. Three civilians were previously alleged killed in similar circumstances on…

Summary

Published
27 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1107

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian female was indirectly killed following a heart attack said to be caused by hearing airstrikes on Al Tayba in Mayadeen, local sources reported. Sharqiya Voice reported that the airstrikes hit the houses of Hassan al Hanan, Bashar al Hanan, Sufian al Hanan and Ghassan al Hanan and reported that a number of people…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1108

Location

ﺟﻨﺎﺓ, Janat, Al Hassakah, Syria
A family of six civilians were reportedly killed in airstrikes in Janat village, however assertions as to who was responsible were contested. Five sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. However @KhabourNews claimed that Russia was to blame.

Summary

Published
27 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1282a

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Seven civilians died in air or artillery or mortar shelling of Raqqa, according to local media – though it was unclear who was responsible for their deaths. However, Hasaka Rasd also reported that mortars fell on Raqqa neighbourhoods on this day, meaning that these deaths may have been caused by SDF actions, for although Airwars…

Summary

Published
27 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CI787

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that at least 90 civilians were killed and injured as a result of ongoing fighting and shelling in Old Mosul, especially in the vicinity of the Al-Nouri Mosque and the destroyed Hadba Minaret. It is presently unclear which parties were responsible. Yaqein agency reported that 71 civilians died, and others were wounded.…

Summary

Published
27 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
71
Civilians reported injured
19
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1088

Location

near the new bridge, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 14 civilians were reportedly killed in or near the Al Hamwazi hotel near Raqqa’s new bridge, however it was not clear who was responsible. Two sources, Tal Abyad and Eye on Raqqa, alleged that the deaths were caused by mines that were detonated in the hotel by SDF militias and their reporting was…

Summary

Published
26 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident