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

8 March 2017

Incident Code

CI521

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
A single source, the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights, reported that 11 civilians from one family died in a Coalition airstrike on Tammuz 17. Iraqi military intelligence issued a statement saying the Coalition had targeted senior ISIL leaders in the area: “The US-led coalition led by the United States killed three senior leaders of the…

Summary

Published
8 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2017

Incident Code

CS556

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
Two or more civilians were reported killed and five injured in alleged Coalition strikes on Ratlah and al Aekershi. According to Smart News, likely Coalition aircraft “launched raids on the villages of Ratlah (about 15 km south of Raqqa city) and al Aekershi (about 20 km east of Raqqa), killing two civilians and wounding five…

Summary

Published
8 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2017

Incident Code

CS557

Location

الأحوس, Al Ahwas, Raqqa, Syria
One named civilian was reported killed in a Coalition airstrike on al Ahwas. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered a young man named as Mu’taz Minwar al Ta’an died. The Syrian Observatory also reported that “a person was killed in bombing by warplanes believed to belong to the International Coalition, they targeted areas near the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 March 2017

Incident Code

CS558

Location

الكرامة, Al Karama, Raqqa, Syria
One named civilian and a possible second victim were reported killed in a Coalition airstrike (or possible SDF artillery strike) on al Karama. According to Asharqiya the strike hit at or near a clinic in the town. And the |Syrian Observatory said that “A person was killed by bombing by warplanes believed to belong to…

Summary

Published
8 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
16
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2017

Incident Code

CS554

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians including a child were reportedly killed, after an alleged Coalition strike targeted boats on the River Euphrates. According to Smart News: “Three civilians were killed and two others injured on Tuesday, following the aerial bombardment is likely to be the international coalition on a on the Euphrates River near Raqqa city, north of…

Summary

Published
7 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2017

Incident Code

CS555

Location

سلحبية, Salhabiya, Raqqa, Syria
According to outlets, airstrikes most likely by the US-led Coalition killed five civilians and injured 12 more at al Salhabiya. Smart News reported that “according to a local source in Al Salhabiya village (25 km west of Raqqa), air strikes on the village on Tuesday evening, killed five civilians and wounded 12 others, including women…

Summary

Published
7 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
10–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident