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

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1156

Location

منطقة مدرسة خديجة, Khadija School area, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed by Coalition airstrikes which hit his home in the Al Dar’iya neighbourhood of Raqqa, local sources reported. Two children who lived opposite the victim were also wounded in the raid. The alliance later accepted responsibility for the death. The incident occurred between 12 and 1 pm, according to local media…

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

CI786

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that 25 civilians were killed and others were injured as a result of airstrikes hitting four houses in Old Mosul. Three houses were located in Al-Farouk Street, near the electricity generator of Mohammed Al-Durra, and a fourth house was hit in the Al-Makawin area. Khudash Mustfa said on Facebook that the international…

Summary

Published
24 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
20–25
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1069

Location

حي الدرعية, Dari'ya, Raqqa, Syria
One named civilian female was killed in the Al Dari’ya neighbourhood of Raqqa after a mortar shell struck her home, local sources reported. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the SDF for her death. According to Baladi, “two women were killed by artillery shelling of the Qusd militia on the area of the White…

Summary

Published
24 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1070

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Ar Raqqah: Hadika Al Bayda (White Garden), Raqqa, Syria
A named civilian female was killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike in the Al Hadaika al Baidaa area of Raqqa, according to local sources. Al-Hassaka Rasd moreover reported that the strike killed "the family of Haj Shorabi al Khamissi along with their neighbours". All identified sources pointed to the Coalition as the culprit. In February…

Summary

Published
24 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1071

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A named civilian male was killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported. Mohab Naser also named the vicitm as killed by “warplanes”, but didn’t identify the culprit. No further details were available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1072

Location

ﻤﺪﺭﺳﺔ ﻋﺪﻧﺎﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺎﻟﻜﻲ, Ar Raqqah (Adnan al Maliki School, unknown location), Raqqa, Syria
Eight civilians, including between five and seven children, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike near Adnan al Maliki School in Raqqa, local sources reported. Al Hasaka Arabea and Step News Agency alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Raqqa Ahluna blamed the US-led Coalition for the death of five children. It reported that their names were…

Summary

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