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

29 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1549

Location

Suwaydan Jazeera, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported the death of one woman, displaced from Aleppo, in an airstrike on the home of Fayez Al Akla. Free Deir Ezzor said that members of the young woman’s family were also injured in the shelling. According to Euphrates Post, the house of Fayez al-Akla had been turned into an ISIS prison. Sources…

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1550

Location

المیادین, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of Fadia Eissa Al Hamada, former director of Al Hussein School, the wife of Eng. Abdul Turki ‘Abu Abdullah’ as a result of the barbaric bombardment of their house”. Marsad Al Hasaka also reported the woman’s death, though neither source said who was to blame.

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1551

Location

Near al Rahman Mosque, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A major civilian casualty incident took place at Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor Governorate, at dawn September 29th – 30th, killing up to 25 civilians with 24 to 40 more wounded, local sources said. According to numerous reports “mostly women and children died”. An initial report by Euphrates Post documented four dead and 30 wounded, though…

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
11–25
Civilians reported injured
24–40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1537

Location

Al Badou area, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that an unspecififed number of civilians were wounded in a strike near the water company or water foundation in Raqqah’s al Badou neighbourhood. The Step News Agency blamed the Coalition, while other sources also reported a raid on the area but did not apportion blame. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1538

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least seven civilians were reported killed and dozens more wounded in air and/or rocket/artillery strikes on Al Mayadin – though the death toll looked likely to rise with multiple reports saying that up to 21 other civilians were still trapped under the rubble. It is currently unclear who was responsible for this incident, with…

Summary

Published
28 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1539

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Deir Ezzor 24 reported that “warplanes” carried out a raids “focused on the Al-Rayaheen kindergarten near the mosque Othman bin Affan and near the headquarters of the Hesba of the organization [IS]. Many were wounded.” No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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