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

16 April 2017

Incident Code

CS698

Location

كبش, Kabish, Raqqa, Syria
At least one man died – along with perhaps two families – in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Kabish, according to local sources. One man was named as a victim of a Coalition strike by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. RFS Media put the death toll at two – also blaming the Coalition. However according…

Summary

Published
16 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 April 2017

Incident Code

CS699

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqa, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Alexandria in Tabaqa, according to local sources. Ahmad-Alshibli named two victims – killed by unidentified “warplanes and heavy machine guns”. The victims were additionally named by Q_Alenzy and Step News Agency, which also blamed the Coalition.

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 April 2017

Incident Code

CI644

Location

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later denied a social media claim that it had caused civilian casualties at Anah. According to its June report “April 16, 2017, near Annah, Iraq, via social media: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 April 2017

Incident Code

CS695

Location

السكرية, Sukariya, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between six and 17 civilians died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on Sukariya area, according to local media. While most sources blamed the Coalition, one alleged that the Iraqi air force was responsible. @ALAMAWI and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights were among sources that reported the death of a family of…

Summary

Published
15 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–17
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS696

Location

البوكمال, near Abu Kamal, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 April 2017

Incident Code

CI640

Location

ريحانة, Rayhana, Al Anbar, Iraq
Two local sources reported that nine civilians were killed and others injured after Coalition airstrikes allegedly hit Rayhana village near Anah, in Anbar province. The exact number of wounded was not determined. Yaqein placed the village 210 km west of Ramadi.

Summary

Published
15 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident