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

29 March 2017

Incident Code

CS637

Location

شعيب الذكر, Shoa'ib Al-Zaker, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that Coalition warplanes carried out a strike on Shoa’ib Al-Zaker. According to Newsjorf, there were reports of deaths and injuries. Raqqa 24 reported “damage to residential houses.”  

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 March 2017

Incident Code

CS638

Location

الرحيات, Al Rahiat, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians including a child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Rahiat village, according to local media. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said that Coalition raids on the village hit a green car and then a second car in a car wash.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also put the death toll at…

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 March 2017

Incident Code

CS639

Location

وادي شعبة, Wadi Sha'aba, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians died and eight others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Wadi Sha’aba, according to local sources. Alalam, Addiyar and Almanar also produced the same report, saying that Coalition artillery killed four civilians including a woman and injured eight others. Smart News Agency also blamed Coalition artillery, reporting that “the artillery of…

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 March 2017

Incident Code

CS640

Location

قسطل الغزالي, Al Qastal Al Ghazi, Hama, Syria
A local source told the Smart News Agency that “seven detainees and three elements of IS were killed by the bombing of warplanes likely belonging to the international coalition, on a school in the village of Qastal al Ghazi east of the city of Hama.” No other details are presently known.  

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 March 2017

Incident Code

CS641

Location

الصبحة, Al Subha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Dozens of civilians were reported killed and injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a ferry crossing near the village of Al Subha, according to local sources. However the alliance later said its nearest airstrike that day had been 17km distant. Al Hilal reported: “Ghazi Said, a resident of the eastern village of Deir Al-Zour,…

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–50
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 March 2017

Incident Code

CS642

Location

الصفصاف, Al Safsaf, Raqqa, Syria
According to Smart News Agency, which pointed towards the Coalition, a local source “pointed out that the aircraft launched two raids on the village of Safsaf, near the city of al Tabaqa (55 km west of the city), killing seven civilians, including two women and two children, and wounding 12 others”. Other sources reported Coalition…

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident