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

20 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1046 RS2293

Location

خشام, Khasham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 16 civilians, including several women and children, were killed and dozens more injured in airstrikes on Khasham village in Deir Ezzor governorate. However, it was not clear who was responsible with allegations lodged against the Coalition, the Russian air force and the Syrian government. In total, five sources alleged that the Coalition was…

Summary

Published
20 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
13–16
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1047

Location

ﺷﺎﺭﻉ ﺍﻻﻣﺎﺳﻲ, Al Amassi Street/Neighbourhood, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed and others were injured after reported artillery shelling of Al Amassi Street in Raqqa city. Al Hasaka Arabea identified the victim and reported that he was an internal refugee from the Hama countryside. Both sources reporting the incident alleged that the US-backed SDF was responsible for the artillery strikes. However,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1048a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", four 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. The report stated that "Dhiab al-Rusly…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 June 2017

Incident Code

CI775

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
A local woman reported that eleven members of her family – mostly children – died in an airstrike on June 20th. Civil defence units sought to retrieve the bodies on June 29th with Mrs Mohammed in attendance. Reporter Sam Kimball, who accompanied the recovery, incuded the following report: “Nadia Aziz Mohammed, 47, at left, watches…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS1048

Location

Ratlah, Syria

Summary

Published
20 June 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1036

Location

جامع الفواز, Al Fawaz mosque, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that a number of people were killed and several more were injured following artillery fire allegedly carried out by the US-led Coalition on the area surrounding Al Fawaz Mosque on Tel Abyad Street. Three of the seven sources alleged that SDF militia units were responsible whereas the remaining four did not apportion…

Summary

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