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

CS1023

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Abdel Jabbar school, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four or five civilians including four members of the same family died and up to eight others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Abdel Jabbar school in Al Mayadin which was housing displaced people, according to local media. One male victim was identified by name. Ahmad al Shibli said that four members from…

Summary

Published
17 June 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1024

Location

حي الرميلة, Al Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian males were reportedly killed in the Al Rumeila neighbourhood of Raqqa following Coalition artillery shelling, or a rocket attack allegedly carried out by the US-backed SDF militia. The three victims were identified by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Raqqa RWB. Four of the five sources who reported the incident alleged that the SDF…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CI766

Location

Mosul, Al Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th, 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “112. June 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: The report contains insufficient information of the time, location…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CI767

Location

Mosul, Old city, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “113. June 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq,via social media report: The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

CI768

Location

Mosul, Zahra, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “114. June 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information it was assessed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1013

Location

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians died in Kasrat Juma’a village, Raqqa, according to local sources. Reports blamed Coalition airstrikes and SDF/Coalition artillery. Some other reports said that one of the victims was killed by an SDF sniper. According to Q_Alenzy, a Coalition airstrike targeted “the house of Mustafa al-Ahmad al-Muhaimid”. Other sources also said that a large number…

Summary

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