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

21 February 2017

Incident Code

CI473

Location

الازري, Uzri, Baghdad, Iraq
Local and press sources said that up to three civilians were killed, including one women and at least one child, and up to two others were injured after an unknown warplane struck a family working in their fields in Uzri village, close to the Tigris river, on the “road to the coast” in Tarmiyah district,…

Summary

Published
21 February 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

Incident Date

21 February 2017

Incident Code

CS517

Location

السحامية, Al Sahamiya, Raqqa, Syria
Between five and nine civilians including three chilren died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Sahamiya village, Raqqa, according to local sources. Baladi, Euphrates Post, the Shaam News Network and Step News Agency all blamed the Coalition. Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently – whICH also attributed the incident to the Coalition – reported “that…

Summary

Published
21 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS518

Location

فتاتيش, Al Fatatish, Raqqa, Syria
Between two and nine civilians died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike/artillery bombardment on Fatatish village in the eastern Raqqa coountryside, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether the deaths were caused by Coalition jets or shelling in the ares by the SDF and Kurdish militias. The media…

Summary

Published
21 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–9
Civilians reported injured
11–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS519

Location

between Hazima & al Abb'ara, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, the Smart news agency, reported that “In the northern countryside, warplanes launched raids on the two villages of Hazima and al A’bbara which led to the death of one civilian and wounding three, one of them in a critical condition.” No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
21 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS520

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
Eleven non-combatants died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Maadan town in the Raqqa countryside, according to local media. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported a “massacre” by the Coalition which killed 11 members of “the family of Satif Hussein al Suwairi“. Both the Shaam News Network and Baladi also reported the death of 11…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 February 2017

Incident Code

CS521

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
The Smart news agency reported: “A local source from al Tabaqa city said earlier in the day, that warplanes likely to be the international coalition launched raids on the Al Manghiya neighborhood in the third district in the city, killing one IS member and seriously wounding three civilians in the neighborhood of Almanghiya.” No further…

Summary

Published
21 February 2017
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident