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

23 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1518

Location

Al Mala'ab Al Baladi, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that one male civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the municipal stadium area of Al Mala’ab Al Baladi in Raqqa. According to FSA Raqqa Sport, the victim was “a body building champion”. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible. Their report noted: " After review of all available…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1519

Location

Deir Ez-Zor, Al Husseiniya crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that one civilian, Mr. Khalil Ibrahim Al-Zaher, was killed as he tried “to get out of the city of Deir al-Zour near the Husseiniya crossing on the Euphrates River after an air raid.” Sources didn’t say who was responsible for the strike. The US-led Coalition informed Airwars that as a result…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1514

Location

قریة مظلوم, Mazloum village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post and Marsad Al Hasaka reported “the martyrdom of Mr. Abdullah Aljama and the injury of Ibrahim Abu Darwish as a result of the aerial bombardment of Mazloum village yesterday.” Neither source identified a culprit.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1515

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported six civilians killed in alleged Coalition strikes on Raqqa city, the source said “the martyrdom of a mother and her five children as a result of the bombing by international coalition aircraft on the city of Al-Raqqa last Friday" Raqqa24 and Mohammed Othman also named the vicitms and reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1516

Location

الرقة, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians – a woman and her male child – died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. Raqqa Sport reported: “In the name of the sports site of Raga and all the athletes of the province of Raqqa, we offer from Captain Osama Kaddour, handball player in the Youth Club…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1517

Location

near As Safiyah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another in an event near As Safiyah, Syria. Their February 2018 civilian casualty report noted, "The Coalition conducted a strike which destroyed a bridge across a canal being used by Daesh to move vehicle-borne…

Summary

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