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

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1017

Location

حارة البدو, Al Badou, Raqqa, Syria
Two women were killed and several others were injured in the Al Badu neighbourhood of Raqqa, allegedly caused by SDF mortars or supporting Coalition airstrikes. Several sources reported that seven people were wounded in the raid. However Madar News reported that at least 10 people were wounded. Eleven of 14 sources reported that the US-backed…

Summary

Published
17 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1018

Location

منصور, Al Mansour, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Network, “activists said that International Coalition bombed the Mansour neighbourhood in the city of Raqqa, killing a civilian”. Other sources reported Coalition airstrikes on the Nadeer bakery on Al-Mansour Street and Abaret Al-Sadou, but made no mention of civilian casualties. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the strike…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1019

Location

حويجة الصوفي, Hawijah al Swafi, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, local sources reported. All five sources identified the victim by name like they all also alleged that the Coalition was responsible. The victim was reportedly killed in his home near Al Jaraksa mosque, Q_Alenezy reported via Twitter. On February 4th 2021 the US-led…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1020

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah [887a], Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of one named civilian displaced from Sukhna, in an alleged Coalition airstrike. According to Al Raqqa Truth she died three days after her initial injuries.

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1021

Location

القورية, Al Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One little girl was reportedly killed, according to the Syrian Press Center, and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Quoriya in Deir Ezzor. While that source was the only one to report a civilian fatality, all others reported that a number of civilians were wounded in the airstrikes. Syrian…

Summary

Published
17 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1022

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, al Takiya Street, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One or two civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Takkiya street in Al Mayadin, according to local sources. RFS reported that two civilians died when a warplane “targeted at dawn today a gathering of residential buildings and shops in the street of Takkiya”. It added that there was “massive destruction in the…

Summary

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