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

3 June 2017

Incident Code

CS913

Location

near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Raqqah, Syria” by . According to the Coalition report, “45. June 3, 2017, near Al-Jisr Al Jadeed, Syria, via regional humanitarian organization. After a review of available information it…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 June 2017

Incident Code

CS914

Location

near Al-Jisr Al Jadeed, Syria, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Raqqah, Syria”. According to the Coalition report, “45. June 3, 2017, near Al-Jisr Al Jadeed, Syria, via regional humanitarian organisation. After a review of available information it was assessed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 June 2017

Incident Code

CS902

Location

سويدية, Sweiyda, Raqqa, Syria
One woman and her child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Swaydya village, according to local sources. Reports said that the Coalition struck Hussein al-Harfi’s house, killing his wife and his child, the girl. Hasaka Rasd reported that “The International Alliance aircraft targeted the house of “Hussein Al-Harfi” in the village of Suweida Rural…

Summary

Published
2 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 June 2017

Incident Code

CS903

Location

حي الرميلة, Rumayla, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians died and six others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Rumayla, according to the Smart News Agency. The local news group reported that “warplanes likely to be from the International alliance launched two raids on the Romaniya and Rumayla neighborhoods in the city, killing three civilians and wounding six others in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 June 2017

Incident Code

CS904

Location

حي الرومانية, Romaniya, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian reportedly died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Romaniya, according to the Smart News Agency. Smart noted that “warplanes likely to be from the International alliance launched two raids on the Romaniya and Rumayla neighborhoods in the city, killing three civilians and wounding six others in Rumaila, who were working on a nearby…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 June 2017

Incident Code

CS905

Location

السباهية, Al Sabahiya, Raqqa, Syria
Al Raqqa Truth and the Syrian Network for Human Rights named one victim of a reported Coalition airstrike on the Al Sabahiya area of Raqqa. The victim was also named by Raqqa24 which blamed the Coalition. However, RFS reported that artillery had led to the death of an unspecified number of civilians. It didn’t identify…

Summary

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