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

25 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1529

Location

كرمازة, Kormaza village, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that civilians were killed after unidentified aircraft targeted Kormaza village, Tal Abiyad countryside, Raqqa. Marsad al Hassaka alleged that a vehicle was struck by “unknown aircraft”, and that the car was a “civilian pick-up” according to the source, with civilians reportedly inside. Soheb1199 released a carbon-copy of the Marsad al Hassaka report.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 September 2017

Incident Code

CI853

Location

بطمة, Al Butma near Huwaija, Kirkuk, Iraq
Local media reported airstrikes in Huwaija south of Kirkuk province, during an Iraqi assault to capture the city from ISIS. Yagein alleged the US-led Coalition was responsible and cited dead and wounded following the raids. Alzab made a plea to ISF: We hope the security forces ascertain the proper coordinates of their goals in order to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1521

Location

الرقة‎, Central, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition air or artillery strikes in Raqqa, local sources reported. According to the Step News Agency, “five civilians were killed and others are missing under the rubble as a result of aerial and ground bombing by the international Coalition in neighborhoods controlled by IS in the middle of…

Summary

Published
24 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1522

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Seven or ten civilians, mostly women and children, were reportedly killed by an airstrike on Al Mayadin. According to Al Haddath, Coalition aircraft “launched air raids on residential areas in the eastern city of Mayadeen”, killing seven civilians, mostly women and children from the same family. This was reiterated by pro-regime outlet Tishreen. The Syrian…

Summary

Published
24 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1523

Location

مركدة, Markada, Al Hassakah, Syria
Eleven civilians including one woman and two or more children died and many more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Markada, local media reported. All sources attributed the event to the US-led Coalition. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that four non-combatants including two girls and a woman died. Insaan Rights Watch…

Summary

Published
24 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
1–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1520

Location

Hawari school, Raqqa, Syria
One adult male civilian, named as Said Mohammed al-Said, died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hawari school in Raqqah, according to local sources. Reports said that the victim was the father of six daughters.  

Summary

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