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

25 May 2017

Incident Code

CI732

Location

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq
Medical sources reportedly told the ISIL press agency that 101 civilians were killed and 199 others were injured as a result of airstrikes carried out by the Coalition and Iraqi forces on West Mosul neighbourhoods during the previous five days. Presently no further details are known.

Summary

Published
25 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
101
Civilians reported injured
199
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 May 2017

Incident Code

CS863

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 15 and 40 civilians including two to five children and one to three women died, and up to 15 more were injured, in airstrikes on multiple locations in Al Mayadeen. Local sources were initially conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition, Iraqi warplanes or Russia. However, in April 2018 the…

Summary

Published
25 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
15–40
Civilians reported injured
10–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 May 2017

Incident Code

CS854

Location

دبسي عفنان, Dibsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria
One woman and one girl were reportedly killed in Dabsi Afnan in Raqqa governorate, roughly 30km west of Tabaqah, but it was contested who was responsible. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) and the Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged that the Coalition was responsible for the airstrikes, while Mohab Nasser, Euphrates Post and several…

Summary

Published
24 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 May 2017

Incident Code

CS855

Location

حي الدرعية, Al Dar'iya, Raqqa, Syria
At least 4 civilians including 3 children and their father were killed and up to eight others were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Al Dir’iya, west of Raqqa city, local sources reported. Ahmad al Shibli, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights all alleged that the Coalition was responsible.…

Summary

Published
24 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
3–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 May 2017

Incident Code

CS856

Location

الرومانية, Romaniya, Raqqa, Syria
Two or three civilians including one child and one woman died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the al Romania neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local sources. The Smart News Network reported: “Two others were also killed in the al Romania neighborhood, including a child and a woman following warplane raids believed to be by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 May 2017

Incident Code

CS857

Location

حمرة ناصر, Hamra Nasser, Raqqa, Syria
At least 10 civilians were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Hamra Nasser village, according to local source Ahmad al Shibli. Al Hassaka Rasd reported that “international coalition planes carried out a massacre in Hamra Nasser killing the family of Hamoud al Ali al Issa in its entirety”. According to RFS, “The SDF forces took…

Summary

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