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

28 May 2017

Incident Code

CS875

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 May 2017

Incident Code

CS876

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality" reported that a drone strike killed a family of ten as their house in northern Raqqa was struck. Reportedly, three IS fighters were present in the area in the morning, but when a suspected drone was heard the three fleed. The family…

Summary

Published
28 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 May 2017

Incident Code

CI735

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that ten civilians were killed, among whom an entire family, after heavy shelling in Zanjili neighborhood in West Mosul. Iraqi Spring Media Center said it was the work of the Iraqi government, while Yaqein Agency did not say who was responsible. Presently no further details are known.

Summary

Published
27 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 May 2017

Incident Code

CS870

Location

المشلب, Al Mashlab, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians died and eight were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa’s Al Mashlab neighbourhood, according to two local sources. No further details are presently known. In its December 2017 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition acknowledged that on “May 27, 2017 near Raqqah, Syria via media report. During a Coalition strike which destroyed…

Summary

Published
27 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 May 2017

Incident Code

CS871

Location

حطين, Hitteen, Raqqa, Syria
More than a dozen outlets reported suspected Coalition strikes on Hitteen farm, near Raqqa City, with vague claims of civilians harmed. Sadaalsham said the farm was located to the north of the city. Syrians News reported “a number of civilian casualties.” Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered also reported “news of civilian casualties” but did not…

Summary

Published
27 May 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 May 2017

Incident Code

CS872

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
At least two detainees were reportedly killed in a suspected Coalition air raid. Local reports said that a group of prisoners being held by ISIL in Mansoura were killed or injured by Coalition airstrikes on the prison. Several outlets, including Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered (RBSS) put the death toll at two. Al Araby said…

Summary

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