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 March 2017

Incident Code

CS632

Location

الخاتونية, Khatouniya, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, the Smart News Agency, reported that six civilians died and 10 were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the villages of Al Khatuniya and Al Qahtaniya. According to the Smart News Agency, “A medical source from the hospital of the city of Raqqa said that six people were killed, including three…

Summary

Published
28 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 March 2017

Incident Code

CS633

Location

غرب دير الزور, Western Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Several local reports said that an unspecified number of members from an IS family were killed – along with a member of IS – and another civilian was wounded when a vehicle was hit in an alleged Coalition strike in Deir Ezzor. According to RFS, “in the town of Abu Kamal the international Coalition targeted…

Summary

Published
28 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS634

Location

Maskanah, Raqqa, Syria

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS635

Location

Tabaqah, al Nabablah, Raqqa, Syria

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 March 2017

Incident Code

CS626

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians were killed on the road between Sarmada and Kafr Daryan when their nearby motorcycle was hit in what appears to have been a unilateral US strike targeting members of Ahrar al Sham. The Coalition later admitted to the strike and reported that three civilians were killed and two were injured. According…

Summary

Published
27 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 March 2017

Incident Code

CS627

Location

سد الفرات, Euphrates Dam, Raqqa, Syria
The Director of the Euphrates Dam and two other staff members died in declared Coalition airstrikes a mile away from the dam on March 27, 2017, according to local sources. Baladi reported that “the director of the Euphrates Dam and his technical assistant were killed and a number of other technicians were injured as a…

Summary

Published
27 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident