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 November 2016

Incident Code

CS384

Location

بعاص, Bia'as, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Bi’as. According to Syria News Desk, “a civilian was killed and six others injured this morning, due to coalition aircraft targeted with three raids the village of Ba’as in northern Raqqa.” Raqqa News named the victim.  

Summary

Published
21 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2016

Incident Code

CS385

Location

مزرعة الأسدية, Masra'at al Assadiya, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians were said to have been killed in a reported Coalition raid on Mazra’at al Assidiya. The Syrian Network reported that “three civilians died due to International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Mazra’a Al Asadeya village in Raqqa governorate northern suburbs, November 21, 2016.” In what may be a linked incident, the Network also…

Summary

Published
21 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2016

Incident Code

CS380

Location

تل السمن, Tall al Samin, Raqqa, Syria
ISIL’s media wing was among those reporting the deaths of five civilians in an alleged Coalition air raid on Tal al Samin. According to Al A’Amaq, “five people were killed after their home was targeted with an air raid in the village of Tal al Samin Janoubi, north of Raqqa.” However, heavy artlllery strikes were…

Summary

Published
19 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2016

Incident Code

CS381

Location

بعاص, Bia'as, Raqqa, Syria
Between 8 and 11 civilians died in what both the Syrian Network and Syrian Observatory called a ‘massacre’ – following alleged Coalition strikes on Bia’as. According to Shaam News Network, “clashes [between ISIL and SDF] have moved into the centre of Tal Al Samin where international coalition aircraft, has launched dozens of air raids on…

Summary

Published
19 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–11
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2016

Incident Code

CS382

Location

العبارة, `Abbarah, Raqqa, Syria
A named mother and child were killed and five civilians injured in a reported Coalition airstrike on al I’bara. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, Khatoun Shawwaz al Hamoud and her young son Hamad died when the Coalition targeted their village. The Syrian Observatory reported that the airstrikes also displaced other civilians from the village.…

Summary

Published
19 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

CI343

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
Dozens of civilians were killed or wounded in Tal Afar due to airstrikes and shelling, according to many local sources. Yaqein reported that scores of unarmed civilians were killed by Coalition strikes as well as selling by government-aligned militias. A source told Yaqein that Tal Afar hospital is currently teeming with dozens of people injured…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident