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

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CS592

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Al Kanissa roundabout, Raqqa, Syria
In the first of three reported incidents at al Tabaqa on this date, eight civilians died in a fresh alleged Coalition raid on the city. ‘Dozens’ were also reported injured. According to local reports, eight members of the family of Musa al-Habib died when their house near the al Kanissa roundaout was struck in an…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CS593

Location

الرقة‎, Al Makaf area, Raqqa, Syria
Nine civilians reportedly died and as many as 25 were injured in an alleged Coalition strike near the sheep market of the al Makaf area of Raqqa city. Step news, RFS, the Shaam News Network and Syrinapc were among sources blaming the Coalition and each put the death toll at nine non-combatants. Al Jazeera reported…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Civilians reported injured
2–25
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CS594

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Al A’rid street, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians died and up to 20 were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Tabaqa, according to local sources, in the second of three reported incident in the city that day. Reporters Talk and Q_Alenzy said that 12 civilians were wounded by “American warplanes”, while according to Qasioun 20 people were injured in Coalition…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CS595

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Multiple locations, Raqqa, Syria
In the third reported event at Tabaqa on March 20th, five civilians died and nine were injured in an airstrike in Tabaqa, though it was unclear from reports who was responsible. According to the Smart news agency, “five civilians were killed and nine others were injured on Monday evening following raids targeting the market car…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CS596

Location

Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of ten civilians near Al Tabqah, Syria. Their October 2017 report noted: "During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building, it was assessed that 10 civilians were unintentionally killed.” This confirmed strike might relate…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CS597

Location

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Raqqa, Syria
Smart News, Syria Mirror and Rasd all reported that “A man and his son who are displaced from Aleppo were killed in Kasrat Sheikh village in the countryside of Raqqa when their car was targeted yesterday.” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed the Coalition for the airstrike.

Summary

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