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

25 March 2017

Incident Code

CS616

Location

المشلب, Al Mashlab, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, the Smart news agency, reported that a “likely” Coalition strike had killed four civilians including a baby and injured 14 others in Al Mashlab. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
25 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 March 2017

Incident Code

CS617

Location

مضر, Mudar, Raqqa, Syria
Seven or eight civilians including three children and two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Mudar village, according to local sources. Raqqa24, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Newsjorf reported that eight civilians died in Coalition raids. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, also blamed the Coalition, and put the death toll at…

Summary

Published
25 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 March 2017

Incident Code

CS618

Location

شعيب الذكر, Shoa'ib Al-Zaker, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a house in Shoa’ib Al-Zaker, according to a single source. According to Q_Alenzy, “Coalition warplanes targeted a building in Shoa’ib Al-Zaker and destroyed it completely but there were no reports of casualties.” Only one known source, Newsjorf, documented a civilian casualty, reporting that “one person was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 March 2017

Incident Code

CS619

Location

جبلي, Jabali, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died and six were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Jabali and Zor Shamr, according to local media. Akhbari Now reported that a “Coalition warplane carried out raids in Jabali and Zor Shamer villages near Karama village, 20km east of Raqqa, killing a civilian and wounding six others.” Alaraby also pointed towards…

Summary

Published
25 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 March 2017

Incident Code

CS620

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians including one woman died in an alleged Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling of Tabaqa, according to local sources. Akhbari Now reported that “Coalition Warplanes reached the First neighbourhood and the Villat area and the garage in Tabaqa city and killed a man and his wife, while their two children were wounded.” Alaraby and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 March 2017

Incident Code

CS621

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, the Smart news agency, reported the death of eight civilians including two children and three women in an alleged artillery and/ or airstrike on the Second neighbourhood in Tabaqa. According to Smart, “On Friday evening [March 24th], an artillery bombardment by the Syrian Democratic Forces took place in the town of Al-Tabaqa.…

Summary

Published
25 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident