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

7 June 2017

Incident Code

CS930

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to Asharqiya Voice “an air raid targeting al Mayadeen killed a displaced man from the city of Deir Ezzor.” The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported “that three warplanes carried out three raids on the town of Al-Mayadin in the eastern countryside of Deir Al-Zour. The first two raids targeted a pre-fabricated area, while…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 June 2017

Incident Code

CS931

Location

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An adult male, also an agricultural worker, was named as a victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Mahkan town by local media. Sources said that he died from wounds sustained in the strike. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in a report on June 11th, “an agriculture engineer died from injuries he…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS932

Location

near Qalaat Jabbar, Raqqa, Syria

Summary

Published
7 June 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 June 2017

Incident Code

CS929

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Euphrates Post reported the death of a one civilian male following suspected airstrikes. Reportedly "a player in the Euphrates Club" In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", it was reported that, "Obaida Jasem Zaghrout, 22, was killed while standing on the street by shrapnel when a passing…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 June 2017

Incident Code

CS965

Location

Ar Raqqah: near Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque, Raqqa, Syria
A man was killed, and his son was injured in Coalition airstrikes which struck the street near his home. The Coalition later conceded a total of eight deaths and 24 injuries clustered across this event and CS965a and CS965b. To avoid triple counting, the official OIR tally is only counted here. This civilian was initially…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 June 2017

Incident Code

CS925

Location

حطين, Hitten farm, Raqqa, Syria
Up to eight civilians from several families died at Hitteen farm, local media reported. While most sources blamed a Coalition airstrike, one source said that a landmine was responsible for the deaths. Al Hassaka Rasd reported three members of the same family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike near Hitten farm. According to RFS, “Five…

Summary

Published
6 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident