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 February 2017

Incident Code

CS532

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died and five others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Tabaqa, according to local sources. Micro Syria reported that “Coalition warplanes targeted a car park in Tabaqa and according to a source in the national hospital in Tabaqa, a civilian was killed and five others wounded – some of them…

Summary

Published
25 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2017

Incident Code

CS533

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the grain silos area in Al Tabaqa, according to local sources. Front of Raqqa Revolution and Sounandpicture said that the two victims were workers at the silos. All sources alleged that this was a Coalition strike.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 February 2017

Incident Code

CS534

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians died and ten others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike near the maternity hospital in al Tabaqa, according to a single source. The Smart news agency reported: “A local source said that warplanes likely to be the Coalition launched a raid with three missiles targeting a street and a building near the…

Summary

Published
25 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2017

Incident Code

CS535

Location

الخاتونية, Khatouniyah, Raqqa, Syria
Between three and four civilians including two women died and four more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Khatouniya in the western Raqqa countryside and the village of Hamra Blassen in the eastern countryside of Raqqa, according to local sources. Smart’s source said that the strike was likely to have…

Summary

Published
25 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2017

Incident Code

CS536

Location

Desert road SW of Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition reported that one civilian died near Raqqa. In its June 2017 casualty report it said: "During a strike on ISIS oil tankers, after warning shots were fired to dislodged drivers from the vehicles, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed." The Coalition provided Airwars…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 February 2017

Incident Code

CI483

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifai, Nineveh, Iraq
Security sources reported to local press that an ISIL leader and five of his family members were killed after Coalition airstrikes targeted his car in the west of Mosul. In its June casualty report, the Coalition confirmed that “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed.” However…

Summary

Published
25 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident