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

8 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS946a RS2274

Location

عياش, Ayyash, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four airstrikes were reported in Ayyash, southwest of Deir Ezzor city, by local media. The sources reported dozens of wounded and that one of the wounded, Thiab al-Rajwan, later died in hospital of the wounds sustained when his house was bombed. Sources were conflicted on who was to blame, with reports pointing to Russia, the…

Summary

Published
8 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 June 2017

Incident Code

CI753

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources referred to the United Nations Human Rights Office saying that 50 to 80 civilians were killed after airstrikes and shelling hit Zanjili neighborhood in West Mosul. In January 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: "Coalition aircraft struck an ISIS building and unintentionally killed 10 civilians." Sawlf Ateka posted a video…

Summary

Published
8 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
50–80
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 June 2017

Incident Code

CS934

Location

القورية, Al Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An unspecified number of civilian casualties were reported after Coalition planes allegedly struck a funeral in Al Qouriya, local media reported. According to Nasser Ahmad, “Coalition aircraft targeted the people in the town of Qouriya while they were at the cemetery burying their relatives. This led to casualties.” GoogleSyrian reported that American Coalition planes had…

Summary

Published
8 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 June 2017

Incident Code

CS935

Location

مفرق الجزرة, Al Jazra junction, Raqqa, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the corner of 16th street and al Jazra junction in Raqqa, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that “Coalition aircraft targeted several shops at the corner of the 16th Street in the neighborhood, destroying nearly 8 shops.” RFS, blaming the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 June 2017

Incident Code

CS936

Location

ﺍﻟﺴﺒﺎﻫﻴﺔ, Al Sabahiya, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that at least one civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s al Sabahiya neighbourhood. Reports said that the al Sabahiya mosque was struck, with all sources blaming the US-led Coalition. According, to RFS, “The shelling focused on the neighbourhoods of al-Sabahia and al-Jazra, west of al-Raqqa and the al-Mashlab neighbourhood…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 June 2017

Incident Code

CS937

Location

مزرعة القحطانية, Mazra'at al Kahtaniyah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were killed in Mazra’at al Kahtaniya village, according to local media – though sources are conflicted as to whether this was the result of a Coalition airstrike or a land mine. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “Ali al Omar al Rwayjeh, from Raqqa city, died along with his brother Yousef…

Summary

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