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

9 June 2017

Incident Code

CS955b

Location

شارع النور, Al Nour Mosque, Raqqa, Syria
Five people were killed due to an airstrike that destroyed their home near the Al Nour mosque. 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 joint Airwars and Amnesty report War in…

Summary

Published
9 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 June 2017

Incident Code

CS947

Location

حي الدرعية, Dir'iya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
An August 2017 Amnesty International report documented the death of 27-year-old Kuteiba, who was killed in the Dir’iya neighbourhood in Raqqa city on June 9th. Intissar, who had already told Amnesty researchers about the killing of her father the day before (see above), stated that her brother was killed “in the street near the mosque…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 June 2017

Incident Code

CS948

Location

سيف الدولة, 23rd February road junction / Saif al Dawla, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources named Hassan Aliya aka Abou Ammar as dying from wounds sustained in “artillery shelling” at the junction of 23rd February Street and Saif al Dawla Street. Sources did not identify who was responsible for the shelling, however, the Coalition has informed Airwars that the SDF is not using artillery (only heavy mortars).

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 June 2017

Incident Code

CS949

Location

Western neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria
Twenty-one civilians reportedly died and 19 more were wounded in Coalition airstrikes and/or artillery shelling by unidentified parties in Raqqa, local media said. The IS media agency, A’maq, published videos reportedly showing the shelling and aftermath of US strikes using white phosphorous on “neighbourhoods and markets” in the city. The videos are however no longer…

Summary

Published
9 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
21
Civilians reported injured
19
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 June 2017

Incident Code

CS950

Location

مفرق الجزرة, Al Jazra junction, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians including two children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Jazra junction, according to local media. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of a young girl named Rama Mohammed al-Hammad and the wife of Ahmed Yahya al-Hammad in air raids on Jazra junction. It didn’t say who was responsible, however, the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 June 2017

Incident Code

CS951

Location

السباهية, Western neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 17 civilians died in various neighbourhoods across Raqqa in either Coalition airstrikes or artillery shelling, local media reported. According to Baladi, “Coalition aircraft launched several air raids on the city of Raqqa, including more than ten raids where the coalition used white phosphorus bombs, banned internationally, for the second day in a row.…

Summary

Published
9 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
15–17
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident