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

CI474

Location

near Mosul, Iraq, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on June 2nd 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “10. Feb. 21, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information it was assessed…

Summary

Published
21 February 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2017

Incident Code

CS510

Location

منطقة مدرسة المعري, Al Maari school area, Raqqa, Syria
Between five and ten civilians including three women died and ten others were injured in an airstrike on the Al Maari school area of Raqqa, according to local media. While the majority of sources said that this was the work of the Coalition, one report attributed the incident to the Assad regime. The Coalition later…

Summary

Published
20 February 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–10
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2017

Incident Code

CS511

Location

الرقة‎, Qitar street, Raqqa, Syria
Between seven and ten civilians including three children and three women died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on Qitar street, according to local sources. While the majority of reports attributed the incident to the Coalition, one report alleged that Russia was responsible. The Coalition later reported that “no Coalition strikes were conducted…

Summary

Published
20 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2017

Incident Code

CS512

Location

north bank of Euphrates, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition said in June 2017 that an airstrike on the north bank of the Euphrates in Raqqa had not caused civilian harm – despite claims on social media. According to the report, “Feb. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media report: After a review of…

Summary

Published
20 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2017

Incident Code

CS513

Location

الجلاء, desert of al Jalaa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike in a car in the desert of al Jalaa, according to local sources. The alliance denies the claim. According to Euphrates Post and the Shaam News Network, the two deaths occurred when Coalition jets struck a “Hyundai car carrying petrol in the desert of al Jalaa”. LCCSY…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 February 2017

Incident Code

CS515

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition said in June 2017 that an airstrike near Raqqa had not caused civilian harm – despite claims on social media. According to the report, “14. Feb. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media report: After a review of available information and strike video it…

Summary

Published
20 February 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident