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

27 May 2017

Incident Code

CS870a

Location

الرقة‎, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In a previously unreported incident, in the US-led Coalition's December 2017 report, it conceded it had killed three civilians in near Raqqa. Without a more accurate location, Airwars cannot determine if the Coalition's assessment matches any of the five locally reported civilian events which occurred in the area on that day, including incident CS870.

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 May 2017

Incident Code

CS873

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
At least 17 civilians – reportedly displaced persons – were killed when buses transporting them were hit by Coalition airstrikes according to local reports. The Syrian Observatory reported that 18 people were killed in Coalition airstrikes in the vicinity of al-Kasrat, of whom at least 10 members of ISIS. The Observatory said that some attacks…

Summary

Published
27 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–20
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 May 2017

Incident Code

CS874

Location

الرقة‎, Multiple neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria
Thirteen named civilians including two children died in airstrikes and/or artillery shelling across multiple locations in Raqqa, according to local sources – though reports blamed both Coalition airstrikes and shelling by the SDF. Al Raqqa Truth reported that 78 shells were dropped on the city while planes circled the skies. It added that Kurdish units…

Summary

Published
27 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–13
Civilians reported injured
15–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 May 2017

Incident Code

CI734

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported on Facebook that dozens of children and women were killed after heavy airstrikes hit Shifa neighborhood, close to Al-Khayyat circle, in West Mosul. It is presently unknown who was responsible for the raids.

Summary

Published
26 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 May 2017

Incident Code

CS864

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 12 civilians died in a fresh round of Coalition airstrikes on Al Mayadeen, according to local sources. Euphrates Post reported that “the warplanes launched five air strikes at approximately 2 am today [May 26th], a time difference of nearly three hours from the first raids that left three martyrs and a number of…

Summary

Published
26 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 May 2017

Incident Code

CS865

Location

الحمام, Al Hamam, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Hamam village, according to multiple local sources.    

Summary

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