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

1 June 2017

Incident Code

CS899

Location

صبيخان, Sbeikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to Euphrates Post, “Coalition planes targeted a motorbike driven by a member of Daesh with his wife and child, killing them immediately. The child survived. They were Uzbek nationals.” Shaam News Network also said the Coalition struck the motorcycle, killing two members of IS, but made no mention of civilian casualties.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 June 2017

Incident Code

CS901

Location

Raqqah, Andalus, 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 Raqqa, Syria” via an “NGO report”. According to the Coalition report, “96. June 1, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via NGO report: The casualty reported in this allegation was a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 May 2017

Incident Code

CS895

Location

أبو شجرة, Abu Shajara, Raqqa, Syria
One woman was injured in a Coalition airstrike on Abu Shajara, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS). Qasioun reported that “Syrian forces took control of the villages of al-Sahl, al-Hawrah, Abu Shajra, al-Barouda, and al-Baraka” and that this “came in the wake of clashes between the two sides, in conjunction with the artillery…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 May 2017

Incident Code

CI741

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili and Shifa, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that more than twenty civilians were killed or injured after air strikes and artillery shelling hit their homes in Zanjili and Shifa neighborhood, in West Mosul. So far all sources blamed Joint Forces – a reference to both Iraqi and Coalition actions. A source had told Alaraby news that “the Iraqi forces…

Summary

Published
31 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
20–84
Civilians reported injured
2–103
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2017

Incident Code

CS896

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that one of the founders of the IS media agency A’maq was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike targeting his home in Al Mayadin. Sources said that his daughter was also killed in the strike and his wife injured. Euphrates Post reported: “The death of Bara Kadak, known as Rayan Mishal,…

Summary

Published
31 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2017

Incident Code

CI742

Location

Mosul, Al-Midan, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on August 4th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” by a “civilian report”. According to the Coalition report, “112. May 31, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via civilian report: After a review of available information and strike…

Summary

Published
31 May 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident