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

19 June 2015

Incident Code

CS083

Location

خنيز, Road 6, near Khaneez village, north of Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Coalition aircraft allegedly struck a three-wheeled motorcycle or ‘tirterah’ which was carrying a vegetable farmer. Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently later published a graphic image of the aftermath. The victim was identified as a resident of Hamam al-Turkman near Ar Raqqah. In April 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: "Coalition aircraft conducted a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 June 2015

Incident Code

CS080

Location

تل أبيض, Tall Abyad, Raqqa, Syria
Two women were reported by a single source, the Syrian Observatory, as having been killed in a “Coalition airstrike” in the countryside around Tal Abiyad. In July 2017 the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence of civilian harm: “Jun. 18, 2015, near Tal Abyad, Syria, via Airwars report: After…

Summary

Published
18 June 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2015

Incident Code

CS081

Location

Road between Suluk and Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Up to four civilians were reported killed by the coalition when the car they were traveling in was struck. According to SOHR, the vehicle was hit on the road between Ar Raqqah and Suluk. Sira Press reported: “Activists stressed that all those who were in the car were unarmed civilians and there were four of…

Summary

Published
18 June 2015
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2015

Incident Code

CS079

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three children were reported by a single source as having been killed during an overnight coalition airstrike on a Daesh checkpoint at the town of Kheshan. However local sources said the attack was the work of the Syrian regime. A man named as Abu Mohammed, said to be one of the relatives of the dead,…

Summary

Published
13 June 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 June 2015

Incident Code

CI073

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
Reports claimed that a second major airstrike in a matter of days struck the town of al-Hawijah south of Kirkuk, killing many non-combatants at the marketplace and a nearby bridge. A related peshmerga offensive against Islamic State was reported in the area. Video images show the devastated market area, with many areas left burning. Almost…

Summary

Published
11 June 2015
Civilians reported killed
10–60
Civilians reported injured
24–80
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 June 2015

Incident Code

CS076

Location

سلوك, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria
Up to nine civilians were killed by US aircraft at Slouk in Raqaa’s suburbs. Al Hal quoted Abu Ibrahim Al Raquaou of the group Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently as saying that as part of an operation to clear Slouk of Daesh militants, Coalition planes had “targeted IS machinery near the Slouk Front and its…

Summary

Published
11 June 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident