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

16 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1014

Location

مسجد الجراكسة, near al Jaraksa mosque, Raqqa, Syria
One named civilian was killed in a Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling by the SDF on the area near al Jaraksa mosque, according to local media. @alrqqa.ahlna SDF artillery blamed SDF artillery for his death, while Ahmed Al Shebli aid he died in a Coalition raid. However, since SDF did not possess artillery in this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One 16-year-old, female was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. No further details were provided.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1010

Location

البياطرة, Ar Raqqah: Bayatra neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians died and were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Al Bayatra neighbourhood, local media reported. According to Almanar, “a number of civilian casualties were caused by a new massacre carried out by US aircraft during the targeting of Al-Bayatra neighbourhood”. All other sources also pointed to the Coalition.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1011

Location

المخالفات, Al Mukhalafat, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians including one child and one woman died in a Coalition air or artillery strike or SDF ground action on a home in the Mukhalafat area, south of al Nour mosque, in Raqqa, local media reported. According to ALRaggaTruth, Mousa Mohammed Shaikhani‘s house was destroyed by “rocket-propelled grenades”. He died in the strike along…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS996

Location

شارع سيف الدولة, Saif al Dawla Street, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed as a result of reported artillery fire on the Saif al Dawla area of Raqqa, local sources reported. Three sources separately identified the victim as Ayham Rashid al Barazi, but no further details were available. All reports said that the US-backed SDF were responsible for the artillery fire. However, a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CI765

Location

القائم‎, Al Qa’im, Al Anbar, Iraq
In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition confirmed on Oct. 27, 2017 that it had unintentionally killed four civilians. The provided coordinates placed the event in the near Al Qa’im town in the Al Anbar Governorate. There are currently no further details known about the incident.

Summary

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