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

12 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1621a

Location

البدو, Baidou, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that between 25 and 35 or more civilians died in US-led Coalition airstrikes carried out at midday which struck two residential buildings in Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa. Despite this, Amnesty field research has since been conducted which only reported the deaths of 16 civilians, spread over two strikes. The Coalition initially confirmed…

Summary

Published
12 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1619 RS2623

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Thirteen civilians reportedly died, including seven children and five women, following an attack on Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to the US-led Coalition, while others blamed Russia. At present, the culpable party remains unclear. The majority of sources alleged or suspected that…

Summary

Published
11 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
13–14
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1620 RS2624

Location

المجاودة, Al Mjawda, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, up to 12 civilians were killed in an airstrike on the town of Mjawda. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to Russia, while others attributed blame to the US-led Coalition. Both the Violations Documentation Center and Euphrates Post identified eight victims of the…

Summary

Published
11 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–12
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1620a

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
The Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality" reported on an incident previously unidentified by Airwars. An uncle and nephew were killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit them whilst they were on a motorbike. The airstrike occurred between 3 and 4pm, and there were no reported injured…

Summary

Published
11 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1618a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", one civilian was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition artillery strikes in Raqqa. Although Airwars assesses single sourced incidents as "weak", researchers have assessed this incident "fair" due to the depth of material provided by Amnesty. The report states that "An…

Summary

Published
10 October 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1617

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah city, local media reported. There is limited information at present, Airwars will update the entry when new details arise.  

Summary

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