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

8 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1610

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A young civilian male (possibly a teenage boy) named as Khalil Ibrahim al-Shehab (pictured) reportedly died of his wounds following US-led Coalition airstrikes on the city of Raqqah “several days earlier”, local sources alleged. There is very limited information, and Airwars will update when any new details become available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1598

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A man named as Hussein al-Ali al-Hamam and “his family of six people” from the Hamam al Turkman area in Raqqah city (possibly where the incident occurred) died following airstrikes, local media reported. Hussein al-Ali al Hamam reportedly worked for the local power company. Raqqa 24 blamed the US-led Coalition, while all other sources referred…

Summary

Published
7 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1599

Location

البدو, Baidou, Raqqa, Syria
A woman named as Zubaydah al-Rahim Sheikh Hassan and her daughter Reem Mohammad al Musa (pictured) died in the al Badou neighbourhood whilst trying to leave the city of Raqqah, local sources alleged. There was some discrepancy in reports, therefore it is not clear how the two died; in equal measure sources suspected the US-led…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1600

Location

الرميلة, Ar Raqqah: Rumaila neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
At least six civilians from one family reportedly died in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Rumaila neighbourhood, Raqqah city. Marsad Al Hasaka named six of the victims and listed the mother of the victims listed belowand another unknown child. Quoting Al-Shibli, Al Fayha reported that “the shelling focused on the “expansionist and Bedouin neighborhoods”…

Summary

Published
7 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1601

Location

Bared al Daraia, Raqqa, Syria
An adult male civilian Sherif Ibrahim al-Sharif (pictured), a resident of the Bared al Daraia neighbourhood, died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah city according to reports. There is very limited information at present, and amendments will be made to the entry when any new information is known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1603

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple local sources said that over 240 civilians had been killed and large numbers wounded in the past four days, allegedly by aircraft and airstrikes of the US-led Coalition. Sharqiya Voice estimated that 250 were killed in a 48 hour period, though all other sources alleged the slightly lower toll occurred over four days. Please…

Summary

Published
7 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
240–250
Civilians reported injured
20–50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident