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

17 April 2017

Incident Code

CS700

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqa, Raqqa, Syria
Six civilians reportedly died and 11 were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tabaqa, according to local media. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “warplanes believed to belong to the International Coalition bombed areas in the second and third neighborhoods of the town of Tabaqa in the western Rif Al Rigga. No casualties…

Summary

Published
17 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 April 2017

Incident Code

CS701

Location

الحسينية, Al Hussayniya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 7 and 13 civilians including two women and two children died and 12 more were wounded in an airstrike which hit near the Faculty of Agriculture building in Hussayniya. Between 6 and 9 ISIL fighters were also said to have died. While most sources attributed the incident to the Coalition – with some specifically…

Summary

Published
17 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–13
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 April 2017

Incident Code

CS702

Location

الموحسن, Al Muhsin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two children were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Muhsin, according to local sources. Step News Agency reported the injury of two children and blamed the Coalition. Other sources also pointed to the Coalition reporting casualties, but didn’t specify the number. The injuries were said to have occurred in the Al Labad area…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 April 2017

Incident Code

CS703

Location

الهاني, Al Hari, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians died and six others were wounded in an airstrike on Al Hari, according to local media – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition or Iraqi forces. According to @SyriaFonder, “US bombing targeted the city of Albuqamal. The shelling targeted Al Sukkariya roundabout and a house…

Summary

Published
17 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 April 2017

Incident Code

CS704

Location

العبارة, Al 'Abbara, Raqqa, Syria
One man died and dozens of other civilians were reportedly wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Al 'Abbara, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently were among sources reporting that a Coalition raid struck the village school, killing one man and wounding…

Summary

Published
17 April 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 April 2017

Incident Code

CS697

Location

هنيدة, Hunayda, Raqqa, Syria
Two children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a school in Hunayda, according to local sources. According to Syrian Mirror, “Field activists said a coalition combat aircraft launched air raids on Hindah town in the western Ar Raqqah countryside, targeting one of the village’s rural schools, killing two children and injuring others.”

Summary

Published
16 April 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident