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

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS998

Location

الانتفاضة, Ar Raqqah: Near Khaled Bin Waled school, Intifada neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians – including a father and his three children – died in a Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Al Intifada neighbourhood, local sources reported. The Coalition later conceded to have killed four civilians in the strike. Besides from the killing of a father and his three children, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) additionally said…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS999

Location

نزلة شحادة, Nazlat Shahada, Raqqa, Syria
Three adult brothers died and at least one was injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike between the area of the two bridges in Raqqa, according to local media. Multiple sources named two brothers as killed in the Coalition raid while Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named an additional third victim. A joint Amnesty and Airwars’s…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1000

Location

الفردوس, Fardous, Raqqa, Syria
At least one civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling on Raqqa’s Al Ferdous neighbourhood, according to local media. Q_Alenzy reported that the Coalition carried out a strike on the Aisha school, while Sharqiya Voice reported that “a number of civilians were martyred following international coalition air raid on the Al Ferdos…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1001

Location

البدو, Ar Raqqah: Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians, including one woman, died and two more were wounded in artillery strikes on Raqqa’s Al Badu neighbourhood, according to local media. All sources said that ‘heavy artillery strikes were responsible. Sharqiya Voice blamed “YPG militia”, while Orient reported that “the Syrian Democratic Forces committed a new massacre”. However, only the Coalition was using…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1002

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was reportedly killed as a result of artillery fire supported by Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa, local sources said. All three sources which reported the incident identified the victim as Samir Mohammed al Ali Al Ashayer, who is also known as Abu Mohammed. Both the Palmyra Media Center and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered…

Summary

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