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

CS1542

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian men died in Raqqah city following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes, local sources said. Mahmoud Al Rahim, Mohammed Ahmed Al Yahya and Ayman Ahmed Al Yahya were named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Raqqa Media Office. There is limited information available, although both sources blamed the US-led Coalition. @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH also named the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1543

Location

المعماري, Al Mimari, Al Hassakah, Syria
Six children from the same family of Ali and Aqla al-Hajj al-Hamoud al-Hweet were killed following an aerial offensive on the village of Al Mimari, local sources said. Initial reports by Sharqiya and Marsad Al Hasaka did not identify a culprit and referred only to “bombing”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged that “International…

Summary

Published
28 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27–29 September, 2017

Incident Code

CS1611

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In Raqqa, at least 28 and as many as 42 civilians from seven families displaced from Palmyra, Deir Ezzor and Raqqa were killed as an alleged Coalition air strike destroyed the building they were sheltering in, multiple local and international media reported. Among the killed were at least ten women and five children. This strike…

Summary

Published
27 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
28–42
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 September 2017

Incident Code

CI856

Location

Mutaybayjah, Salah Al Din, Iraq
Local media outlet Yagein claimed that hundreds were killed and wounded following alleged US-Coalition strikes on Metebija, in the east of Salahadin province. The Iraq Spring Media Center also alleged the Coalition conducted raids in the area, though it did not refer to civilian casualties. A source who spoke to Yagein claimed: the Coalition aircraft bombed…

Summary

Published
27 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–100
Civilians reported injured
0–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1534

Location

White Garden area, Raqqa, Syria
Between 29 and 35 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the al Hadika al Baidaa area of Raqqah, according to local media. @24Raqqa put the death toll at 29, “including women and children”. But according to Raqqa Now and Almanar, more than 35 died. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.

Summary

Published
27 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
29–35
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1535

Location

الرقة, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian males died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah, according to local sources. Few additional details are presently known, though Mr Habal was said to have died in his home. Ismail Akkush was, according to extensive Amnesty field research, killed alongside three other men, as reported in Airwars incident CS1536. We have therefore…

Summary

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