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

26 April 2017

Incident Code

CS734

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, al Zouikat, Raqqa, Syria
Sixteen named civilians including eight children and five died in an alleged Coalition airstrike near the Al A’jrawi roundabout in Tabaqa, according to local media. In January 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: " Coalition aircraft engaged with what was positively identified as an ISIS defensive position on the balcony of a house,…

Summary

Published
26 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
16
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 April 2017

Incident Code

CS728

Location

حي الثكنة, al Thakanna, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, “a local source said that aircraft of the International Coalition, launched a raid on an ISIL car in al Thakana neighborhood in the city of Raqqa, which led to the death of one of the latter [ISIL member], and a child and wounding five civilians who were next to…

Summary

Published
25 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 April 2017

Incident Code

CS729

Location

حمرة بلاسم, Hamra Blassem, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, the Smart News Agency, reported that “three civilians were killed and 11 others were wounded, including a pregnant woman, in suspected Coalition raids on the village of Hamra Balasem“. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
25 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 April 2017

Incident Code

CS730

Location

زور شمر, Zor Shmar, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, the Smart News Agency, reported that five civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Zor Shmar. No further details are currently known.

Summary

Published
25 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 April 2017

Incident Code

CS731

Location

كديران, Kdeiran, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians died and others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a funeral in Kdeiran, according to local sources. Alraqqa.Truth reported that Coalition jets “targeted a funeral procession with heavy machine guns”. Asharqiya Voice and the Syrian Network for Human Rights also said that Coalition aircraft used gunfire on the gathering. According to…

Summary

Published
25 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 April 2017

Incident Code

CS723

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Up to eighteen civilians including nine children and three women died in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Tabaqa, according to multiple local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “the family of Ali Abu Aish was killed after they were targeted by a coalition plane with machine gun fire while they were trying to leave…

Summary

Published
24 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
17–18
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident