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

CS1009

Location

الهاني ، الرقة, Raqqah, Al Hani, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm. According to the Coalition report, “111. June 15, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via NGO report: The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility..”…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1105a RS2284

Location

مراط, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an airstrike which hit Mrat, as many as 11 civilians were killed - including six from one family - and dozens more were wounded, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most attributed blame to the Syrian regime, while Souriyati, blamed the Coalition. Others also blamed Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–11
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Code

CS994

Location

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Raqqa, Syria
A family of six, including a mother and four children, were killed in artillery strikes on the Kasrat Sheikh al Juma’a village, Raqqa, local sources reported. A number of local sources identified the victims as Mohammed Khalaf al Kajawan, his wife, their two daughters and two boys. Mohammed Othman also reported that the houses of…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15–16 June, 2017

Incident Code

CS1012

Location

جامع المنصوري, Al Mansouri mosque, Raqqa, Syria
A total of 25 civilians including one woman and 10 children died in SDF/Coalition shelling near the Al Mansouri mosque in Raqqa, according to local media. The US-led Coalition later conceded the event following an Amnesty field investigation. Multiple reports said that a home near the mosque was hit with artillery or mortar shells or…

Summary

Published
16 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
25
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS982

Location

نهر الفرات, Ar Raqqah: Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria
Up to eleven civilians including a family of three were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike near the town of Ziban, to the south of Raqqa city. The civilians were reportedly crossing the Euphrates River in small boats in order to flee the violence at Raqqa, when they were hit in the alleged strikes.…

Summary

Published
14 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–11
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS983

Location

العجيلي/السبع دربات, Ar Raqqah: A'jili/Sabi Darbat neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
A family of three civilians, including one woman, were killed and several more were injured in artillery fire allegedly carried out by the US-backed, Kurdish-led SDF militia in the Al A’jili neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local sources. However, only the Coalition was using artillery in the city in this period. The Revolutionary Forces of…

Summary

Published
14 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident