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

17 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1503

Location

Al Tawwassoui'ya neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian men were reported killed following alleged US-led Coalition strikes on Al Tawassou’ya neighbourhood, Raqqa city, local media reported. According to Al Hasaka Arabea they were displaced persons from Deir Ezzor city. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition. No further details are available at present. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1504

Location

المرور, Al Mourour neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians, died following suspected US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Mourour neighbourhood in the south of Raqqa city. An unknown number of others were alleged wounded by local sources. According to Al Araby the strikes hit residential buildings in the area. All sources blamed the US-led Coalition.  

Summary

Published
17 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1497 RS2462

Location

مظلوم, Masloum Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian woman died with her two children in an aerial attack on the the village of Mazloum Tahtani (12km east of Deir Ezzor), close to the primary school and the mosque, according to local media. Step News however, out the death toll as high as five. Shabha also referred to civilians wounded in the event,…

Summary

Published
16 September 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1498 RS2463

Location

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Nine to 19 civilians, including an “entire family,” died following airstrikes on Mahkan, about 45km southeast of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US- led Coalition and others to Russian warplanes. There were no reports of wounded. According to Ortas, Coalition aircraft…

Summary

Published
16 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–19
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1499 RS2464

Location

Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians, including two women and two children, died following airstrikes on residential areas of Al Kornish, Al Mayadin, according to multiple local sources. At present it is unclear who was responsible as the majority of sources did not identify the aircraft. Russia was blamed by four reports, the US-led Coalition was accused…

Summary

Published
16 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1495 RS2460

Location

السوا, Al Sa'awa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three to six civilians died and several others were wounded in alleged Russian or US-led Coalition airstrikes on an IDP camp in the village of Al Sa’wa in the western suburb of Deir Al Ghazur, according to local sources. The location is disputed, as Sharqiya24 and Deirezzor24 cited “the water crossing” as the location and…

Summary

Published
15 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp, Transportation (Bridge)
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident