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

7 July 2015

Incident Code

CS092

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
There were contradictory claims as to the status of Bassel Jassem Al Jirroh - reportedly killed in a Coalition or Assad regime strike at Hatla. While the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies and al-Natiq described him as a young male non-combatant killed at Al Aziziah Street, the pro-government Tishreen claimed that al-Jirroh was a…

Summary

Published
7 July 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 July 2015

Incident Code

CS091

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In a casualty incident later confirmed by the US, its aircraft targeted a vehicle in the vicinity of Al Shefa Hospital in Raqaa, wounding seven civilians in the process. No fatalities were initially reported, but the hospital was reportedly damaged. In a Facebook posting marking the event, locals insisted that all of those injured were…

Summary

Published
7 July 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 July 2015

Incident Code

CS090

Location

تل الجاير, Tall al-Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in a Coalition strike at Hassakah which allegedly hit the Tal Al Jayer Medical Centre. It was also reported that “a number of women and children” were injured in the attack. However in July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian…

Summary

Published
5 July 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2015

Incident Code

CS087

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
The day of July 4th saw multiple allegations of civilian casualties reported in Raqqa. In one of them, an internally displaced family of seven living under a bridge was said to have been crushed to death following a Coalition airstrike. Buzzfeed cited a surviving close relative in Turkey, who declined to be named publicly but…

Summary

Published
4 July 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2015

Incident Code

CS088

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In the second confirmed civilian fatality incident of the day in Raqaa, the Coalition later declared that "during strikes against 16 ISIL bridges, it was assessed one civilian in a truck with a trailer was likely killed." US aircraft were responsible for the death, CENTCOM admitted some six months later. Reporting remains confused for the…

Summary

Published
4 July 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2015

Incident Code

CS089

Location

الرقة‎, Car opposite Al Hameeda School, Al Jumaili, Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In some of the heaviest coalition bombing reported for Syria to that time, US aircraft struck multiple Daesh targets in the strategic city of Raqaa – the beginning of a lengthy air campaign in which numerous civilians are now confirmed to have died. Between 7 and 8 civilians were reported as being among the 23…

Summary

Published
4 July 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident