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

13 June 2017

Incident Code

CS981a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. According to the report "Fadi Qahir…

Summary

Published
13 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2017

Incident Code

CS973

Location

البرك, Raqqa, Burak area (location unknown), Raqqa, Syria
One civilian, named as Mohammad Qassem al Kibba, was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. Ahmad al Shibli, Q_Alenzy, 24Raqqa and Hammadi Al Hammadi all blamed the Coalition. Hammadi Al Hammadi said that the victim died in the Burak area.

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 June 2017

Incident Code

CS974

Location

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Raqqa, Syria
A civilian family of five was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Kasrat Sheikh Juma’a village in Raqqa. Habib al Mustapha al-Abdullah, his wife and their three daughters were the victims of the strikes, according to a number of local sources. The family’s son Zakaria Habib al Abed Lillah also reported the deaths via Facebook,…

Summary

Published
13 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2017

Incident Code

CS975

Location

ذيبان‬, Ziban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians died and several more were injured when an alleged Coalition airstrike hit a water crossing in Ziban town, according to local media. Sana reported that the crossing was “used by residents to reach their agricultural land on the banks of the river”. All sources blamed the Coalition.

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 June 2017

Incident Code

CS976

Location

بقرص تحتاني, Bokros Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and several others were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Muntafa’a neighbourhood in Bokros Tahtani, to the east of Deir Ezzor. One local source, Qasioun, reported that two civilians were killed, meanwhile, Step News Agency reported that three people died as a result of the airstrikes, but were…

Summary

Published
13 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2017

Incident Code

CS977

Location

دوار الطيبة في الميادين, Mayadin, Al Tayba roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that a civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on ISIL members which killed three of its fighters in Al Mayadinn, Deir Ezzor. The victim, Mubarak Khader al Shweiti, was reportedly driving near Al Tayba roundabout when the alleged strike targeted a nearby car carrying the ISIL members, killing all…

Summary

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