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

22 January 2017

Incident Codes

TS057 CS455

Location

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria
Between six and 15 civilians died including two children and two women and 16 more were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Al Bab, Syria, according to local media - though it was unclear whether Turkey or the US-led Coalition were responsible. Al Bab 24 said that "Al Bab city was exposed to a…

Summary

Published
22 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–15
Civilians reported injured
16
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 January 2017

Incident Code

CS453

Location

مزرعة الصفصاف, Al Safsaf farm, Raqqa, Syria
A young man died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Safsaf farm, Raqqa, according to local sources. Mohab Nasser, an activist covering Raqqa news, reported that “the child Ammar Ahmad al Suleiman al Gharnouk, 10 years old, ded after being hit by shrapnel following a raid on al Safsaf farm in the eastern Tabaqa…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 January 2017

Incident Code

CS454

Location

النيرب, Al Nayrab, Idlib, Syria
Between three and five civilians including two children and one woman died and up to 20 others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Nayrab, according to local sources. The Coalition later denied involvement. The Syrian Network said “At least 3 civilians (two children and a woman) died in international Coalition warplanes missiles fired…

Summary

Published
22 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
4–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS456

Location

near Al-Tabqah, Raqqa, Syria

Summary

Published
22 January 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2017

Incident Code

CS452

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died and six were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Tabaqa, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) said that the Coalition launched raids “targeting the areas of the coach station and the market leading to the fall of a number of civilian wounded.” Step also blamed the Coalition,…

Summary

Published
21 January 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2017

Incident Code

CI436

Location

الرشيدية, Mosul, Al-Rashidiyah, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that Coalition airstrikes targeted a car-bomb and house in Al-Rashidiya neighborhood, in the northeast of Mosul. This also caused the death of 15 civilians, many of them women and children. Ajel Al Mosul reported that “international Coalition airstrikes targeted a car-bomb in Rashidiya area, causing the martyrdom of a man and his…

Summary

Published
21 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident