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

18 May 2017

Incident Code

CS835

Location

هنيدة, Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died in an alleged Coalition airstrikes on Hunaida, according to local sources. According to Step News “The international coalition aircraft targeted the outskirts of Heneida town in the western Raqqa countryside with several air raids.” Reports said that he died when his home was struck. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 May 2017

Incident Code

CS836

Location

شارع سيف الدولة, Saif al Dawla Street, Raqqa, Syria
The Smart News Agency reported that 15 civilians including children were killed and injured in air raids “believed to have been carried out by the international coalition on Saif al Dawla street in Raqqa”. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
18 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–14
Civilians reported injured
1–14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 May 2017

Incident Code

CS837

Location

سهلة البنات, Sahlab al Banat, Raqqa, Syria
An August 2017 Amnesty International report documented the death of three civilians as a result of three strikes on their one-storey house in Sahlat al Banat on the evening of May 18th. Amnesty field researchers interviewed Hassan, a family member of the victims. “This strike killed the two boys as they were coming back into…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 May 2017

Incident Code

CS838

Location

حمار, Hamar, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two or more civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Himar area in the desert of Abu Kamal, local sources said. According to Baladi, “Coalition fighters raided the Hamar area of ​​Badia, Abu Kamal on Thursday, destroying a number of oil tankers and a number of incinerators, as well as injuring a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 May 2017

Incident Code

CI720

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that it did not carry out strikes in an area where civilian casualties were alleged by an unnamed NGO. This allegation was previously unknown to Airwars. According to the report, “May 18, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information…

Summary

Published
18 May 2017
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 May 2017

Incident Code

CI719

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources reported that a family of four brothers and their uncle, as well as a man with his son, and a woman, were killed in Rifae neighborhood after missiles and airstrikes hit the area. The raids took place in the street near the Mufti Mosque, in front of the medical clinic, and near…

Summary

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