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

8 May 2017

Incident Code

CI696

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, Tammuz / July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
In its July 2017 monthly casualty report, the Coalition said it had killed a civilian in the Tammuz 17 area of Mosul. The man’s family reported his name as Laith Azhar Saadallah al-Obeidi. According to the report, “during a strike on an ISIS command and control node, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Code

CS780

Location

حي الوهب, Tabaqah, Al Wahab (First Neighbourhood), Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Network two civilians died and seven were injured – in addition to the death of one member of IS and the wounding of two more – in an alleged Coalition airstrike or artillery strike on Tabaqa. Other reports gave some context, with RFS noting that “Syrian Democratic Forces managed to…

Summary

Published
8 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Code

CS781

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Between seven and ten civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a vehicle carrying displaced civilians at the outskirts of Raqqa, according to local media. The Step News Agency reported: “On Monday, May 8, the International coalition committed a new massacre in Raqqa province after it targeted a convoy…

Summary

Published
8 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Codes

CS782 RS2213

Location

دبسي عفنان, Dibsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria
Two adult male civilians died - as well as one additional child casualty - and up to a dozen or more were wounded in an airstrike on the village of Dibsi Afnan, according to local media. Most sources blame Russia, while some alleged that the regime was responsible – though more than three commentators also…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Codes

CS783 RS2214

Location

دبسي فرج, Dibsi Faraj, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died and four more were wounded in an airstrike on Dibsi Faraj village, local sources said – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The journalist Ahmad al Shibl reported the Coalition had been “targeting the main road between Dibsi Faraj and Dibsi…

Summary

Published
8 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Code

CS784

Location

مزرعة الجلاء, Al Jalaa farm, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Jalaa farm, according to local sources. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “There is confirmed information about the death of three people of one family including two brothers who were killed due to bombing by warplanes believed to…

Summary

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