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

11 February 2017

Incident Code

CS483

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Heavy airstrikes on Raqqa – reportedly by the Coalition – may have caused civilian casualties according to confused reports. According to Step News “international coalition raids target the grain silos, the finance building, the arts school and al Nai’m roundabout in the city of Raqqa a short while ago causing material and human losses as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 February 2017

Incident Code

CS484

Location

حمرة ناصر, Hamra Nasser, Raqqa, Syria
A single source reported the deaths of three civilians following an alleged Coalition airstrike. According to Smart News “sources said that three civilians were killed and four others wounded, including women, in International Coalition raids on the village of Hamra Nasser east of Raqqa city.” Microsyria also reported Coalition air raids on Hamra Nasser, though…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 February 2017

Incident Code

CS485

Location

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Bouwaitiya, Raqqa, Syria
A single source reported the deaths of seven civilians following US-led Coalition raids on a number of villages surrounding Raqqa. According to Smart News “a medical source, confirmed the arrival of seven dead civilians to the hospital and 14 wounded, including women and children in a critical condition, due to targeting by coalition aircraft the…

Summary

Published
11 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 February 2017

Incident Code

CS486

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A man named as Mohammad Fayez Bakour from Dabaa, Qusair in Homs was reported killed in a Coalition or US strike – though his status remains unclear. The VDC described Bakour as a civilian, and said he died in a Coalition strike. We Are Qusair Martyrs also noted “we announce the martyrdom of Mohammad Fayyez…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 February 2017

Incident Code

CI454

Location

الحضر, Hatra, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that three children and a woman were killed and and five other people were injured after Coalition airstrikes targeted the Hatra region, south of Mosul. Yaqein said its sources added that “the bombing also caused significant damage to a number of civilian houses in the affected areas.” While all sources blamed the…

Summary

Published
10 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2017

Incident Code

CS480

Location

عرجون, Arjoun, Idlib, Syria
A civilian male named as Mohammad Khaled al Brak from the village of Arjoun near Qusair was reported killed in a ‘Coalition strike.’ A martyr’s page for Qusair reported: “Mohammad Khaled al Brak from Arjoun village in al Qusair – martyred 10/2/2017 in a raid by the treacherous coalition planes.” VDC also reported his death…

Summary

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