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

CS1049

Location

مساكن الادخار, al Idkhar residences, Raqqa, Syria
Six civilians were killed and several others were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes or guided missile strikes on residences in Al Idkhar in west Raqqa, local sources reported. The attack was said to have taken place after midnight. Six of the nine sources which reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. In February…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CI776

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Residents said that one civilian was killed and several wounded in an airstrike in the Rutba area. Yaqein reported that one civilian was killed and several wounded in a suspected Coalition attack. Iraqi Spring Media Center said that civilians were killed and wounded, but offered no numbers and did not assign blame.

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1044a

Location

المصرف التجاري, Commercial Bank, Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
After midnight, alleged Coalition airplanes carried out a number of strikes on areas in Al-Mayadeen city which was under ISIS control at the time of the attack. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the airstrikes targeted the area where the Commercial Bank is located and struck a house in which an Iraqi family…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1043

Location

كسرة فرج, Kasrat Faraj/Kasrat Sheikh al Juma'a, Raqqa, Syria
A baby girl was killed following an alleged Coalition airstrike on Kasrat al Faraj or Kasrat Sheikh al Juma’a, but there was confusion as to exactly where the death took place due to conflicting reports. She was identified by a number of sources and was either nine or 10 months old, with Al Ragga Truth…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1044

Location

البصيرة, Al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman died in an alleged Assad regime or Coalition airstrike on the cultural centre in al Basira, local media reported. Multiple sources – blaming the US-led Coalition – identified the female victim. However, RFS News blamed regime aircraft, while others like Syrian PC did not identify the perpetrator. According to Deirezzor24, she died as a result…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1045

Location

شارع سيف الدولة, Saif al Dawla Street, Raqqa, Syria
Three members of one family, including a four-year-old girl, were killed in Raqqa city, with sources reporting that either SDF shelling or Coalition airstrikes were allegedly responsible. A number of the sources identified the names of the victims and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently shared images of all three individuals. Because Palmyra Media Center reported…

Summary

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