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

6 June 2017

Incident Code

CS926

Location

الرقة‎, Multiple neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria
Between seven and 13 civilians including three children and one woman from the same family died in airstrikes and/or rocket strikes on different locations in Raqqa, local media reported. While reports blame the Coalition, many also pointed towards artillery shelling by both US forces and Kurdish units. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published “photos showing…

Summary

Published
6 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 June 2017

Incident Code

CS927

Location

حيي النهضة, Nahdah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event in the Nahdah neighbourhood in Raqqa. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS vehicle, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 June 2017

Incident Code

CS920

Location

الجسر القديم, Old Bridge, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 30 civilians died and many more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a gathering of civilians near boats which they were going to use to ferry them across the Euphrates River as they attempted to escape Raqqa, multiple local sources reported. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that at least…

Summary

Published
5 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11–30
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 June 2017

Incident Code

CS921

Location

فوج الأطفائية, Fire Brigade roundaout, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike at the fire station roundabout in Raqqa, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. Sources reported that the three men were firefighters. According to Syrian Mirror, “The Coalition also targeted the fire brigade roundabout in the city, which resulted in the fall of three firefighters working in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 June 2017

Incident Code

CS922

Location

البو عاصي, Al Bu A'ssi, Raqqa, Syria
Two adult male civilians died in an airstrike on Al Bu A’ssi village, according to local media. Two sources – Baladi and Mohab Nasser – pointed directly at the Coalition, reporting that two non-combatants died in an alleged Coalition raid near a refugee camp. Other sources referred to “warplane raids”, but didn’t identify the culprit.

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 June 2017

Incident Code

CS923

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, the Violations Documentation Center, reported that an adult male and his wife were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Raqqa. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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