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

28 April 2017

Incident Code

CS749

Location

شارع فلسطين, Tabaqah, Palestine Street, Raqqa, Syria
Eighteen civilians including 11 children and three women, died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Filastin Palestine Street, Al Tabaqa. There is, however, uncertainty about the date ofthe incident: Mohab Nasser puts it at April 28th and eyewitnesses told Human Rights Watch that the attack happened in late April. The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
18
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

CS750

Location

near Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Raqqah, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “92. April 28, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in…

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

CI675

Location

near Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on December 28th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “80. April 28, 2017 near Mosul, Iraq via social media report. The report contains insufficient information of the time, location and details to assess its credibility.” No additional…

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

CS741

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently a 13- years-old female civilian died from fright following the sounds of air raids on the city of Raqqa at dawn today.” RFS reported that “in Al Raqqa, the 13-year-old girl...died of heart attack as a result of fear of the bombing of Al Raqqa city by Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

CS742

Location

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Buweitiya, Raqqa, Syria
The Smart News Agency reported that “warplanes likely belonging to the Coalition shelled the villages of Hamra Buwittiya and Al-Raqqa Al-Samra both near the town of Karama, 20 kilometers east of the city of Raqqa, killing four civilians in the first and one in the second, and wounding nine others in both.” Alaraby also put…

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
1–9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

CS743

Location

رقة السمرة, Raqqa al Samra, Raqqa, Syria
The Smart News Agency reported that “warplanes likely belonging to the Coalition shelled the villages of Hamra Buwittiya and Al-Raqqa Al-Samra both near the town of Karama, 20 kilometers east of the city of Raqqa, killing four civilians in the first and one in the second, and wounding nine others in both.” Al Araby also…

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident