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

1 February 2017

Incident Code

CS471

Location

القادسية, Al Qadissiya, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, Al Ragga Truth, reported the death of three civilians in an alleged Coalition raid on Al Qadissiya farm, Raqqah. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 February 2017

Incident Codes

CS470 RS1868

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
A reported Coalition, or possibly Russian, airstrike which hit a Syrian Red Crescent hospital in Idlib injured up to a dozen civilians. The Coalition later denied involvement, though a unilateral US action remained possible. The intended target of the dawn strike appeared to be the militant gropup Fatah al Sham at a base at the…

Summary

Published
1 February 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
5–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 January 2017

Incident Code

CS467

Location

القطعة, Al Qata, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One person was reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on al Qata – though it was not clear whether they were a civilian or a combatant. According to the Syrian Observatory, “warplanes believed to be affiliated to the International coalition targeted places in the desert of the town of Qata eastern Deir Ezzor, which…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS468 RS1867

Location

صبيخان, Sbeikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian guard was killed in an air raid on an asphalt plant or nearby oil facility by unidentified aircraft. The Coalition has confirmed striking oil installations in the area that day, although some sources blamed Russia. According to multiple reports at least two civilians were also injured in the incident. Asharqiya reported, Mr al…

Summary

Published
31 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 January 2017

Incident Code

CS469

Location

دير الزور, near Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an incident near Deir Ezzor. Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted "During a strike on ISIS construction equipment, after reviewing the post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI446

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously known to Airwars researchers, the Coalition reported on March 4th that it was assessing an event at Mosul. According to the release “Currently, 19 reports of civilian casualties are still being assessed… Jan. 31, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.” No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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