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

15 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1496 RS2459

Location

شميطية, Shumaytiyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman, died after unidentified warplanes conducted a raid on the town of Shumaytiyah (شمیطیة) in rural west Deir Ezzor, local sources said. There is limited information on the incident, Airwars will update the entry when new information arises. Additionally, Deir Ezzor 24 and Asharq Asouri named two adult males as killed at a refugee camp…

Summary

Published
15 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1493

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian man died in the city of Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. Initial reports said his death was caused by airstrikes conducted by the US-led Coalition. However this was refuted by the group Raqqa Journalists Without Borders, which claimed he died in a “painful accident”. No additional details are available at present.

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1494 RS2456

Location

سعلو, Deir Ez-Zor, Sa'alu, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One female civilian, died in an alleged airstrike on the village of Sa’alu, according to local media. The US-led Coalition and Russia were both cited as culprit, amongst multiple references to unidentified aircraft. According to Qasioun, the Coalition bombed Sa’alu as part of an aerial offensive that targeted multiple villages in the east of Deir…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1479

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An adult civilian male (pictured) died following alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Raqqah, local sources said. There is limited information, however all sources cited the Coalition as the culprit. Mr Hareth’s death was reported on October 7th, though it was stated he had died “nearly a month ago.” Airwars has tentatively placed the data range at…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

CI847

Location

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq
A single source reported on the death of a family following an aerial bombardment on the residential areas of Anah, west of Anbar province. The source said a woman and a girl died. However, the exact number of the family member was unclear. The US-led Coalition was not identified as a possible culprit, nor was…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–11
Civilians reported injured
2–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1480 RS2448

Location

مخيم للنازحين قرب جديد عكيدات, IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A major civilian casualty incident allegedly took place at an IDP camp near Jadid Akeidat, Eastern Deir Ezzor countryside. Al Yaqeen reported about 100 displaced people were killed, mostly women and children, following an alleged aerial bombardment by the US-led Coalition at the camp. However this was contested – with Euphrates Post asserting that this…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
100–120
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident