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

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1027

Location

Fardous, Raqqa, Syria
Two children were killed and seven people were wounded following alleged Coalition airstrikes near the al Nawawi mosque in Raqqa. All four sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are presently known. In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm as…

Summary

Published
18 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1028

Location

تل الجاير, Tall al-Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least 10 and as many 12 civilians – which included women and children, all from one family – were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tal al Jayer village near the Syrian-Iraqi border. Thawra Tahrir al Sham also reported that “many” others were injured. All seven sources which reported the strikes alleged that…

Summary

Published
18 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1029

Location

العلوه, Al Alwa, Al Hassakah, Syria
Five civilians, including three children, were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on al Awla village, also known as Jalal, 25km southeast of Ash Shaddadi. Hasakh News identified five victims; two men in their 50s, and three children of one of the men - two girls and one boy. All six sources who reported on the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1030

Location

الحديقة البيضا, Al Hadika al Bayda, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that two civilians were allegedly killed by SDF artillery fire or ‘missiles’ in the Al Hadaika al Baytha neighbourhood of Raqqa. Ahmad al Hasan reported that two young men were killed near the barbershop in the area, including the barber named Hamid Abu Aziz. All five sources alleged that the US-backed SDF militia…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1031

Location

حي الدرعية, Al Diriya, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Al Dir’iya neighbourhood of Raqqa. He was identified as Issa Ramadan al Muhammed by both sources who reported the incident. Q_Alenezy reported that the Coalition was responsible via Twitter whereas the only other source, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, did not apportion…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CI769

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Fifteen people were reported killed and five more injured in heavy air and artillery strikes on Old Mosul, as Iraqi forces supported by the Coalition continued their push to capture the last ISIL-held neighbourhoods of Mosul. Yaqein – which also reported 10 ISIL carbombs – said that “an aerial and artillery bombardment coincided with the…

Summary

Published
18 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident