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

CS952

Location

الصناعة, Ar Raqqah: Sina'a neighbourhood (Mukhtalata, unknown location), Raqqa, Syria
Eight civilians including four children and two women died in a declared Coalition airstrike on the al Mukhtalata area in Raqqa’a al Sina’a neighbourhood, local media reported. According to the Syrian Press Center, “Coalition forces continue to commit the worst massacres against civilians in the city of Raqqa, under the pretext of eliminating terrorism. A…

Summary

Published
9 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS938 RS2275

Location

جديد عكيدات, Jadid Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as eight civilians, as well as six named which including medical personnel died, and others were wounded in an airstrike on Jadid Akeidat village, Deir Ez-Zour, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia were responsible for the attacks. Sources reported…

Summary

Published
9 June 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 June 2017

Incident Code

CS953

Location

لطيران, Al Tayara, Raqqa, Syria
Two local sources reported the death of Qusay Khalil al-Nahar – “from the clan Albograda” – in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. While Mr al-Nahar’s death was reported on June 16th, family members contacted by Airwars indicated that his death was around June 9th, at al Tayara in the Raqqa countryside.

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 June 2017

Incident Code

CS953a

Location

Raaqa, 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 "Iman al-Joumaa,…

Summary

Published
9 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 June 2017

Incident Code

CS940

Location

حي الدرعية, Dir'iya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
An August 2017 Amnesty International report documented the death of a 60-year-man, who was killed in the Dir’iya neighbourhood in Raqqa city on June 8th. The report stated that several strikes, both air and artillery, hit the area on June 8th and 9th. Amnesty’s field researchers interviewed Intissar, who told them that her 60-year father,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 June 2017

Incident Code

CS941

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah: Mr. Sufi's bakery, Raqqa, Syria
An August 2017 Amnesty International report stated that a civilian casualty incident occurred in Raqqa on June 8th–9th, killing 6 civilians including 1 or more children and 2 women. Mohammed, who also witnessed the airstrike mentioned in incident S823c, described to Amnesty’s field researchers that another bombardment struck a tent near a biscuits bakery. The…

Summary

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