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

28 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1540

Location

Al Taybeh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to seven women allegedly died in an airstrike on al Taybeh, according to a local media outlet. However the deaths had previously been reported on July 28th. Three women died in an airstrike on al Taybeh, according to Deir Ezzor 24. Though its source didn’t say who was responsible, they listed three victims. However,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 September 2017

Incident Code

CI857

Location

West Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
A single source, Yagein, reported that civilians were killed following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the areas of west Ramadi in central Anbar province. A well-informed source who spoke to Yagein said Aircraft of the International Alliance carried out several air raids. The source added the bombing resulted in significant destruction in the areas, with reports…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 September 2017

Incident Code

CI858

Location

Al Qaim, plaster factory, Al Anbar, Iraq
Two sources alleged the US-led Coalition conducted air raids on Al Qaim west of Anbar province, resulting in 87 civilians killed. However, there was some confusion about the status of the vehicles reportedly struck. Local sources who spoke to Yaqein said aircraft targeted an area near the plaster factory in the province. It initially alleged…

Summary

Published
28 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
87
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2017

Incident Code

CI859

Location

الشجرة, Al Shajarah village, near Al Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
Dozens of civilians, including a whole family, were reported by local media as killed in Al Shajara near Hawija, south of Kirkurk province. Iraq News Center’s correspondent said the dozens of victims were mostly women and children and situated the incident at the villages of Al-Shajara, Ghareeb and Al-Mistah in the area of Al-Abbas in…

Summary

Published
28 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2017

Incident Code

CI860

Location

الحویجه, Al Huwaijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
A social media post said that a young student in Huwaija, Mohammed Ali, had received news of the death of his family. It was unclear whether this might relate to incident I662, which referred to the death of a family at al-Shajara. The US-led Coalition was not blamed. There is no further information available at…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1541

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, Deir Ezzor 24, said that one civilian was killed following strikes by unknown aircraft on the house of Farouk al Mashouk – known as the ‘Mufti’s house’ – which was being used by Daesh as a prison. The correspondent said the raid had resulted in the death of the prisoner Laith Allawi…

Summary

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