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

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1079

Location

ﻣﻨﻄﻘﺔ ﺍﻟﺘﻮﺳﻌﻴﺔ, Al Tawssi'ya, Raqqa, Syria
According to Al Hassaka rasd, one woman “was killed in artillery shelling that targeted the al Tawssi’ya area in Raqqa city”. Soheb10 also reported her death and likewise blamed “artillery shelling”. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published images reportedly showing “the destruction caused by the international coalition targeting civilian houses in the Al Tawssi’ya neighbourhood”,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1080

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
Two adult civilians died and three children were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ratlah village, according to local media. Al Hassaka Rasd reported that the Coalition struck “the house of Abdul Aziz al-Khamri in Ratlah”. It reported that two civilians died and “three children were slightly injured by the attack”. The victims were…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1081

Location

ﺍﻡ ﺣﻔﻮﺭ, Umm Hfour, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to multiple local sources, “a whole family” died in the village of Umm Hfour in an alleged Coalition airstrike. Hasaka Voice and other sources the victims died “because they were targeted by an air strike by the International Coalition”. The US-led alliance eventually reported strikes in the vicinity that day, suggesting that the cause…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1082

Location

موحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two women and four children, including a newborn baby, were reportedly killed and dozens of others injured in airstrikes in Muhassan, in the east of Deir Ezzor, but it was not immediately clear who was responsible. Euphrates Post and Sharqiya Voice reported that warplanes committed the “massacre” but did not say who they believed was…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1083

Location

بقرص تحتاني, Bokrus Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A mother and her daughter were killed and seven others were injured in airstrikes in Bokrus Tahtani in eastern Deir Ezzor, local sources reported, but it was contested who was responsible. The victims were identified as a 34-year-old woman, who is the wife of Mohammed Abdullah al Kardoush, and their 16-year-old daughter. The couple is…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1084

Location

القورية, Al Quoriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two displaced families, made up of 10 to 13 civilians which included three women and seven children, were reportedly killed and others were injured in alleged airstrikes on two houses in Al Quoriya – though most sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible, one report from Step News Agency, pointed towards Russia. Sound and Picture…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident