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

9 October 2017

Incident Code

CI866

Location

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to one local source reported that many civilians were killed or injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted several areas in Qaim, west of Anbar province. Yaqein attributed the bombings in different areas of Al Qaim to the International Alliance. The other local sources reported that the airstrike on Al Qaim was linked to the start of a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 October 2017

Incident Codes

CI865 RS2613

Location

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to many reported, two brothers were killed in Al Qaim, Iraq or al Hari in Syria, near the Iraqi border on October 8, 2017. Reports were contested: one source implied that Iraqi aircraft may have been responsible, while a number of sources identified Russia as the culprit, one source attributed the attack to the…

Summary

Published
8 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1596

Location

التوسعية, Ar Raqqah: Tawwassoui'ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
As many as 26 civilians were killed, including a family of six, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah’s Al Tawsuya neighbourhood, according to local media. Despite initial uncertainty of the date, Amnesty reported that the strike occurred on the 8th October 2017.  In a private message to Airwars, RBSS said the victims died on…

Summary

Published
8 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
26
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1634

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Fourteen civilians were allegedly killed on the 8th of October by Coalition airstrikes near the Old Mosque in Raqqa. On December 14th, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported “the bodies of the martyrs Mohammed Hassan Aarouni and Alaa Mohammed Aarouni were found with his family and Ibrahim Mohammed Aarouni and his family under the rubble…

Summary

Published
8 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1606

Location

Diriyah, Raqqa, Syria
Five members of one family died in Raqqah city following alleged “shelling” according to local reports. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, four of their children survived and “were taken to a house on the main road at the junction between Hitteen farm and Rabi’at al Atfal. No sources apportioned blame. Raqqa is Being…

Summary

Published
8 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8–9 October, 2017

Incident Code

CS1609

Location

Ar Raqqa, Tawasiyah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was killed after alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the al-Tawasu’iyah neighbourhood of Raqqah city according to multiple local sources. Reportedly, “massive destruction of residential buildings and public property” followed the strikes, with sources also suspecting that many more civilians were wounded. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition. The date of the event was…

Summary

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