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

26 May 2017

Incident Code

CS866

Location

جورة السوس, Jourat al Sous, Raqqa, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two civilians from the same family were killed in when the international Coalition warplanes fired on Jourat al Sous in the northern outskirts of Raqqa city.” No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 May 2017

Incident Code

CS867

Location

رقة السمرة, Raqqa al Samra, Raqqa, Syria
One woman died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Raqqa al Samra on the eastern outskirts of Raqqa city, according to local sources.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 May 2017

Incident Code

CS868

Location

الطريق بين الرقة و دير الزور, Ar Raqqah - Al Mansoura road, Raqqa, Syria
At least two civilians were killed in a Coalition strike along the road between Raqqa and Deir Ezzor, according to local reports. Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered reported the death of a man along with two others “following a Coalition raid on the main road between Raqqa and al Mansoura.” Radiokull reported a higher figure…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 May 2017

Incident Code

CS869

Location

Ar Raqqah - Deir Ezzor road, Raqqa, Syria
A taxi driver was killed by an airstrike, according to local reports. The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that a man was killed by unidentified warplanes on a road near Deir Eizzor. The report said he was a driver. HRO also named him, as did Euphrates Post, which identified him as a taxi driver. That…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 May 2017

Incident Code

CI733

Location

البعاج, Baaj, Nineveh, Iraq
A military source told Yaqein agency that 46 civilians were killed and dozens were wounded – with varying injuries – after airstrikes of the Joint Forces targeted Baaj and Qayrawan towns in western Nineveh. It was also reported that dozens of houses of civilians were destroyed. The area was the scene of heavy fighting between…

Summary

Published
26 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
46
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 May 2017

Incident Code

CI731

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq
A single local source reported to Yaqein Agency that five children and their mother were killed after Coalition airstrikes hit their house in Zanjili neighborhood in West Mosul. The source had added that “heavy and continuous indiscriminate shelling makes the task of recovering the bodies and transporting the wounded very difficult, as well as [getting]…

Summary

Published
25 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident