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

CS1073

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A family, believed to be comprised of five people including two women and one child, were reportedly killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, local sources reported. Both sources which reported the incident, RBSS and Al Ragga Truth, alleged that the Coalition was responsible.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CI784

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an attack on Mosul's Old City. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS mortar position, it was assessed that two civilians, were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area after…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1059

Location

منطقة العبارات النهرية, Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria
Three or four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on boats/ferries on the Euphrates River, according to local media. Both Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and Hasaka Rasd blamed the US-led Coalition. Besides the three named victims, there was reportedly another unidentified civilian victim who was working on the river ferry. According to RFS,…

Summary

Published
23 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1060

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A name civilian male was killed in bombing or shelling in Raqqa, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Raqqa_r_w_b. However neither source said who was responsible for his death or provided any further details.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1061

Location

المربع الامني (امن الدولة), Ar Raqqah: Amn Al Dawla (Security Box), Raqqa, Syria
According to Sharqiya Voice, “10 martyrs displaced from the province of Deir al-Azur died in the Amn Al-Dawla area in Raqqa, as a result of bombing by the international coalition aircraft.” Raqqa Post placed the death toll at seven. It is possible that this event is the same as a previous on June 21st, namely…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1063

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A named adult civilian male was reported as a victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) published an image of the victim with a beard. Taha Mossa Al-Hamza – who claimed to be a relative of the victim – left a comment on the…

Summary

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