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

CS1085

Location

قريب من القورية, near Al Quoriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Al Quoriya. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that destroyed one ISIS staging location, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” This confirmed strike might relate to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1086

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least two civilian males were killed and six others were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Soussa in the east of Deir Ezzor governorate, a number of local sources reported. Some sources reported that as many as six people died while JP News alleged that 15 people were killed. However, they were the…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–15
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1087

Location

قريب من الميادين, near Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of twelve civilians in an event near Al Mayadin. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that destroyed one ISIS-held building, it was assessed that 12 civilians were unintentionally killed.” In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1074

Location

الجسر العتيق, Jisir Qadim (Old Bridge), Raqqa, Syria
Smart News Agency reported that “nine civilians were killed and wounded in an aerial bombardment by the international coalition near the old bridge (Jisir Qadim) south of the city of Raqqa, northeast of Syria, as the “Syrian Democratic Forces” advanced to points in the city, a private source told SMART Saturday. “The source said that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1075

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Ma'adan, Raqqa, local sources reported. Euphrates Post and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently identified the victim by name. Al Ragga Truth reported that a total of 15 strikes took place and several sources shared images of some of the destruction – which included the…

Summary

Published
24 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CI785

Location

Mosul, Mosque of Abdul Rahman bin Auf, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Mosul, Iraq. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS artillery position located inside a mosque, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars…

Summary

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