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

6 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1597

Location

التوسعية, Ar Raqqah: Tawwassoui'ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Six civilians died in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Tawaswiya neighbourhood, according to local media. The citizen journalist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently documented: Omar Al-Ashqar, Yasser Bakour, Khalid Al Hussein and a girl whose name was not mentioned, as the victims. News of their death came amidst reports of considerable aerial bombardment…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1591

Location

Markada, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to 15 civilians died following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Markada in the southern countryside of Al Hasakah governorate. It was claimed that the Coalition targeted a number of locations in the town controlled by so-called Islamic State. The attack left an unknown number of others wounded. Airstrikes hit a vegetable market in the…

Summary

Published
6 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1582

Location

Sukkaria, Ne'ma Matar school near Al-Hamdan road, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six civilians from two families reportedly died following airstrikes on the town of Sukkaria, close to Al Bukamal, local sources alleged. An unknown numbers of civilians were left wounded after the attack, with the death toll expected to rise due to some people being in a critical condition. A correspondent for Deir Ezzor 24 reported…

Summary

Published
5 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1584

Location

Jadida Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian was reported killed following airstrikes on Jadid Akeidat, 20km east of Deir Ezzor on the northern bank of the Euphrates River. Smart described the incident as “similar” to attacks carried out in the same governorate during a 24 hour period, by “Russian-made warplanes”. There is limited information on the incident, and Airwars will…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1585

Location

Huseiniyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians died following airstrikes on al Husseiniya village, local sources said. The number of victims was placed at five in a report by Deir Ezzor 24, including “several others wounded”. Deir Free identified the young man Hani Jadoua Al-Khalif al-Hammad as one of the dead, and said that “artillery shelling by regime forces” was…

Summary

Published
5 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1586

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One person died in an aerial offensive that targeted the river crossing in al Mayadeen, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. News of the civilian casualty came amid numerous reports of Russian actions in the area, @m_eelwahed described “Russian raids” with phosphorous which led to the outbreak of fires in several neighbourhoods of the…

Summary

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