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

13 May 2017

Incident Code

CS818

Location

يعرب, Ya'arob, Raqqa, Syria
Six to 17 civilians were reportedly killed and as many as hundreds more wounded in the villages of Ya’rob and al Sakhoura in the western Raqqa countryside. However sources were conflicted as to whether they died in a Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling by YPG forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the only source…

Summary

Published
13 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–17
Civilians reported injured
2–200
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 May 2017

Incident Code

CS819

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied involvement in an alleged incident that was previously unknown to Airwars. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “May 13, 2017, near Tabqah, Syria, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties. The…

Summary

Published
13 May 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 May 2017

Incident Code

CI709

Location

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Residents and local press said that up to 100 civilians were killed and dozens wounded after Coalition airstrikes and guided missiles allegedly hit multiple locations in and around Anah town, in Anbar province, on a Saturday evening. Noor Al Mustafa Dawood reported that “the bombing continued with more than four airstrikes and four missiles directed…

Summary

Published
13 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
24–100
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 May 2017

Incident Code

CI710

Location

راوة, Rawah, Al Anbar, Iraq
In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for an incident it said was reported by an NGO, but which Airwars was unaware of. The Coalition reported: “May 13, 2017, near Rawa, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 May 2017

Incident Code

CS820

Location

near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on August 8th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Dayr az Zawr, Syria”. According to the Coalition report, ”105. May 13, 2017, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, via social media report: After a review of available…

Summary

Published
13 May 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 May 2017

Incident Code

CS809

Location

Khirbat Farms, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an airstrike near the hamlets of Khirbat farms and Ruhayyat in Raqqa province. Their August 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians,…

Summary

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