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

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1569

Location

al Qitar Street north of city centre, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 45 civilians reportedly died and 15 were wounded following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes to the north of Raqqah city, at the outskirts of the al-Tawassiya area. The victims were “gathered around a water well on Qitar (train) street” collecting water “due to the ongoing water cuts in the city for more than three…

Summary

Published
3 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
13–45
Civilians reported injured
14–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1570

Location

البدو, Ar Raqqah: Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
As many as 44 civilians were killed, from three familes, following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on al Marniadiya Street in al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqah, according to local media. The strike reportedly targeted a residential building (pictured). Raqqah is Being Slaughtered Silently identified some victims. However since Amnesty International  conducted on the ground research in Raqqa…

Summary

Published
3 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
44
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1574

Location

Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of: Mrs. Nour Omar Al Haj Hassan, wife of Mahmoud Khalaf al-A’llash and her daughters Sarah and Judy Mahmoud al-A’llash, 3 months old, as a result of air strikes which targeted their home in the city of Mayadeen a few days ago.” No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1575

Location

near Al Hadin, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event near Al Hadin, Syria. Their December 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike which killed a high-level ISIS leader, destroyed one ISIS vehicle it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured." In…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1563 RS2585

Location

بقرص فوقاني, Bokros Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 10 and 12 civilians, including an entire family, died in an airstrike on Bokros Foqani, local media reported. The culprit is currently unclear, though Airwars understands that the Coalition was not bombing in this territory at the time, while Russia reportedly was. Some sources also attributed the blame to the Syrian regime.  According to…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Civilians reported injured
2–30
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1564 RS2586

Location

Abu Kamal, al Mohadatha school, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 11 and 15 civilians including an entire family died and dozens more were wounded in a reported airstrike near the al Mohadatha school in Abu Kamal, according to local media. Sources, however, were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. A number of reports did not identify the warplanes…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident