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

10 June 2017

Incident Code

CS956a

Location

حي الدرعية, Dar’iya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Initially this incident was reported on by several sources as mass artillery shelling in the Dar’iya neighbourhood in the city of Raqqa, in which 6 to 12 cilivilians, including a maximum or 6 children and 2 women died and 9 were wounded. During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 June 2017

Incident Code

CI755

Location

Mosul, Borsa, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that 18 civilians from four named families – mostly children and women – died under the rubble. An airstrike reportedly hit their homes in the Borsa area in the centre of Mosul. It is presently unclear who was responsible for the airstrikes. Sawlf Ateka, a local Facebook page, launched an appeal to…

Summary

Published
10 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
21–23
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 June 2017

Incident Code

CI756

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources said that more than 13 members from one family were “scattered under the rubble” of their houses in Shifa neighborhood, in the centre/ west of Mosul. Unidentified aircraft had allegedly hit the houses. Sawlf Ateka, a local Facebook group, said that Abdullah al-Mazouri had died in the raids (see photo below). In…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10–12 June, 2017

Incident Code

CS968

Location

نهر الفرات، الرقة, Euphrates river, Raqqa, Syria
Up to four civilians died when their boat was struck by the Coalition as they attempted to flee Raqqa, local media said. In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted "Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh barge. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed and 10…

Summary

Published
12 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 June 2017

Incident Code

CS995

Location

جامع الصفا, Dar’iya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Initially this incident was reported on by several sources as an alleged airstrike or artillery shelling in the Dar’iya neighbourhood in the city of Raqqa, in which 1 or 2 cilivilians died. During investigations of this event for the April 2019 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in Raqqa: Rethoric versus Reality (www.raqqa.amnesty.org), Amnesty field…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 June 2017

Incident Code

CS955c

Location

شارع النور, Al Nour Mosque, Raqqa, Syria
Ten people were killed in a double airstrike on two adjacent buildings behind Barazi pharmacy, near Al Nour mosque in the city of Raqqa. Some of their names were initially reported on by several local sources (RBSS, RFS, Step News Agency) in connection to incident CS955a. During investigations of this event for the April 2019…

Summary

Published
9 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident