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

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1051

Location

مسجد بلال بن رباح, Ar Raqqah: Western neighbourhoods (Bilal Bin Rabah mosque, unknown location), Raqqa, Syria
Up to 13 civilians from one family were killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes near the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in west Raqqa, local sources reported. Some sources reported that the death toll was in fact 11. Reports said that the Coalition struck a residential building near the mosque. All six sources which reported the incident…

Summary

Published
21 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1052

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, local sources reported. Al Hasaka Arabea identified the victim and reported that he was from Al Ahwas al Shaher village. Only one of the two sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible, whereas the other source did not apportion blame.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1053

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
Two displaced women were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ratla village, according to local sources, who also identified the women. All sources attributed the incident to the US-led Coalition.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1054

Location

فرن الريان في حي امن الدولة, Ar Raqqah: Near the Al Rayan bakery, Raqqa, Syria
At least ten civilians – with many from one family, including women and children – were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike near the Al Rayan Bakery in the Amn al Dawla neighbourhood of Raqqa, local monitors reported. Photos of a number of those killed in the alleged airstrike were also provided. Both sources alleged…

Summary

Published
21 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–20
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1054a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", six 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. According to Amnesty, the strike occurred…

Summary

Published
21 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1054b

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
Eleven civilians from one family were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. Originally the names of the victims were published under incident number CS1054, however Amnesty research assessed that there were two separate strikes, this one occurring at 11pm, while the other occurred at 6pm. Amnesty has placed the strike on the 21st despite…

Summary

Published
21 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident