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

4 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1580a RS2594

Location

معبر مائي بين هجين و العباس, Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between ten and 30 civilians were killed, including four named men, and "dozens" more were injured, following a continuation of airstrikes on the river crossing, however this time the crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, however others…

Summary

Published
4 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–30
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2017

Incident Code

CI863

Location

التنك, Al Qaim, al Tanak, Al Anbar, Iraq
At least one named civilian male was reported killed in the Tanak neighbourhood of al Qaim. While some sources blamed the US-led Coalition, others implied that Iraqi aircraft or artillery might have been responsible. According to his family and local reports, an adult man died as a result of air and/ or artillery strikes on…

Summary

Published
4 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1576

Location

Al Shuhadaa, Raqqa, Syria
Between 13 and 21 civilians reportedly died following airstrikes on al Shuhadaa neighbourhood north of Raqqah city, according to local sources. The civilians were said to have gathered around a water well in the area. This was the second reported attack on the city’s water supply in two days. Shahba Press said it had documented…

Summary

Published
4 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
13–21
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1567a

Location

Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
In the Amnesty and Airwars’s joint April 2019 report "War in Raqqa: Rhetoric versus Reality", 19 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa. Although Amnesty researched this incident on the ground, Airwars have decided to grade it "weak" due to the depth of material provided. The victims were from the Aarouni family…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
19
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1628

Location

البدو, Raqqa city: Baidou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
13 civilians were killed – including nine from one family – due to the "bombing of the International Air Force on the city of Raqqa during the battle for control of the city”. Kurdish news agency Hawar later published an interview with a survivor named as Yazan Abdulrahman Mohammad, in which it was stated that in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1568

Location

البدو, Badu, Raqqa, Syria
Initially the death of one civilian male was reported in this incident: a doctor named Alaa El Din Hassan Hamam died in Raqqah city following US-led Coalition airstrikes, local sources said. According to a report by Al Rafed, Dr. Alaa El Din Hassan Hamam provided medical assistance for the injured in Raqqah until he died. His…

Summary

Published
3 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident