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

26–30 June, 2017

Incident Code

CS1130a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", three civilians were reportedly 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 "Three members of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1101

Location

Near Old bridge, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians in an event near Raqqa. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS headquarters structure, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally injured.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1102

Location

near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria
In October 2017, the Coalition reported it had unintentionally injured two civilians: “(6.) June 26, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via media report. During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally injured.” It is possible that this incident matches with one of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS1076

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
At least one and as many as 20 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed and others injured following alleged Coalition and SDF shelling in Raqqa. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and others said that the casualties came as a result of more than 80 artillery shells being fired into the city. RBSS…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–20
Civilians reported injured
5–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1077

Location

نهر الفرات, Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian males were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes near the Euphrates River in Raqqa. A number of local sources identified the victims. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that the men were killed in an airstrike on their cars as they tried to retrieve water from the river. Raqqa had been suffering from…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1078

Location

امن الدولة, Amn Al Dawla, Raqqa, Syria
Two local sources named one civilian male as killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Amn Al Dawla area. According to Ahmad al Shibli, the victim was originally from Maskana, east of Aleppo.

Summary

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