Research

All major publications from Airwars’ documentation, research, investigations and policy teams

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87 posts
69249
30 Sep, 2020
Update
Syria

Syria’s civilians pay high price for years of foreign military interventions

In 1996, the US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was asked by reporter Lesley Stahl about sanctions against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq: “We have heard that a half million children have died. I mean, that’s more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth it?” Stahl asked. The Secretary of State responded: […]
58363
7 Aug, 2019
Update
Iraq, Syria

Five years of war and ISIS is defeated as a territorial entity – but civilian deaths remain largely uncounted

The fifth anniversary of the international war against so-called Islamic State has seen the total defeat of the terrorist group as a territorial entity in both Iraq and Syria. Now degraded to insurgency, the US and its allies try to contain the jihadist organisation. However, after five years of fighting the cost to civilians on […]
51493
25 Apr, 2019
Update
Iraq, Syria

At least 1,600 civilians died in US-led Coalition actions at Raqqa, major new study finds

A major new study by Amnesty International and Airwars has concluded that at least 1,600 civilians died in Coalition strikes on the city of Raqqa in 2017 during the battle to evict so-called Islamic State – ten times the number of fatalities so far conceded by the US-led alliance, which had admitted 159 deaths to […]
46098
4 Jan, 2019
Research

Airwars monthly assessment – November 2018

Conflict monitoring In November, Airwars tracked the highest reported civilian death toll from alleged Coalition actions since the fall of Raqqa in October 2017. As the terrorist group clung on to a handful of villages in Deir Ezzor and the Hajin campaign rolled into its third month, Coalition actions rose by 32% on October with […]
37522
7 Nov, 2018
Update

Airwars monthly assessment – September 2018

Up to 45 civilians were locally alleged killed by Russian airstrikes in Syria during September - with as many as 17 non combatants also claimed killed by US-led Coalition actions.
30341
24 Sep, 2018
Update

Report: Airwars urges UK to improve accountability for civilian harm in Battles of Mosul and Raqqa

Despite being the most transparent among anti-ISIS Coalition members, non-admission of urban civilian casualties by UK is deemed unrealistic in new parliamentary report.
30341
24 Sep, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

Report: Airwars urges UK to improve accountability for civilian harm in Battles of Mosul and Raqqa

Despite being the most transparent among anti-ISIS Coalition members, non-admission of urban civilian casualties by UK is deemed unrealistic in new parliamentary report.
27374
8 Aug, 2018
Update

Four years of war and ISIS is almost defeated – but at what cost?

The fourth anniversary of the international war against ISIS sees the terror group almost defeated - though many thousands of civilians have died in the heavy fighting.
27374
8 Aug, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

Four years of war and ISIS is almost defeated – but at what cost?

The fourth anniversary of the international war against ISIS sees the terror group almost defeated - though many thousands of civilians have died in the heavy fighting.
26373
25 Jul, 2018
Update

Airwars six monthly assessment: January-June 2018

Reported civilian deaths from Russian actions were up by a third in Syria during the first six months of 2018. While claims against the Coalition were sharply down, several hundred civilians were still likely killed by the US-led alliance.
26373
25 Jul, 2018
Research

Airwars six monthly assessment: January-June 2018

Reported civilian deaths from Russian actions were up by a third in Syria during the first six months of 2018. While claims against the Coalition were sharply down, several hundred civilians were still likely killed by the US-led alliance.
25780
12 Jul, 2018
Update

Airwars monthly assessment: May 2018

Coalition-attributed civilian casualties in Syria were up during May, while those blamed on Russia were sharply down.
25780
12 Jul, 2018
Research

Airwars monthly assessment: May 2018

Coalition-attributed civilian casualties in Syria were up during May, while those blamed on Russia were sharply down.
26142
29 Jun, 2018
Update

After more than a year of denials, Coalition admits killing 40 civilians in controversial strike

While credible reports of large numbers of civilians killed at al Mansoura emerged within hours, it has taken the Coalition 16 months to concede any harm.
26142
29 Jun, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

After more than a year of denials, Coalition admits killing 40 civilians in controversial strike

While credible reports of large numbers of civilians killed at al Mansoura emerged within hours, it has taken the Coalition 16 months to concede any harm.
25565
5 Jun, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

Amnesty says US-led Coalition likely violated international law at Raqqa

Investigators traveled to Raqqa and spoke with more than 100 witnesses and victims, with their report highlighting the deaths of dozens of members of just four families.
25565
5 Jun, 2018
Update

Amnesty says US-led Coalition likely violated international law at Raqqa

Investigators traveled to Raqqa and spoke with more than 100 witnesses and victims, with their report highlighting the deaths of dozens of members of just four families.
24885
30 May, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

‘A city full of flies’: The crews digging out bodies in Raqqa

The Raqqa Reconstruction Committee is still recovering the dead from this shattered city - all the time at risk from unexploded ISIS munitions.
24885
30 May, 2018
Update

‘A city full of flies’: The crews digging out bodies in Raqqa

The Raqqa Reconstruction Committee is still recovering the dead from this shattered city - all the time at risk from unexploded ISIS munitions.
23849
29 Mar, 2018
Update

Australia admits killing two civilians during battle for Mosul

Australia remains the only American ally to admit any civilian harm after almost four years of strikes
23849
29 Mar, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

Australia admits killing two civilians during battle for Mosul

Australia remains the only American ally to admit any civilian harm after almost four years of strikes
23623
12 Mar, 2018
Update

Raqqa: a city destroyed then forgotten

Tens of thousands of US bombs and missiles helped drive Islamic State from Raqqa. But now the dead are being forgotten.
23623
12 Mar, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

Raqqa: a city destroyed then forgotten

Tens of thousands of US bombs and missiles helped drive Islamic State from Raqqa. But now the dead are being forgotten.
23494
7 Mar, 2018
Update

UN investigators accuse the US-led Coalition and Russia of likely violating laws of war in Syria

In 2015, the UN Commission said it wouldn't investigate foreign airstrikes in Syria. Now it is citing Security Council members for unlawful strikes.
23494
7 Mar, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

UN investigators accuse the US-led Coalition and Russia of likely violating laws of war in Syria

In 2015, the UN Commission said it wouldn't investigate foreign airstrikes in Syria. Now it is citing Security Council members for unlawful strikes.
22160
18 Jan, 2018
Research

Airwars annual assessment 2017: civilians paid a high price for major Coalition gains

Civilian deaths from Coalition actions were up by more than 200% in 2017, as the war against ISIS pushed deep into cities
22160
18 Jan, 2018
Update

Airwars annual assessment 2017: civilians paid a high price for major Coalition gains

Civilian deaths from Coalition actions were up by more than 200% in 2017, as the war against ISIS pushed deep into cities
21958
21 Dec, 2017
Research

International airstrikes and civilian casualty claims in Iraq and Syria – November 2017

With ISIS mostly defeated, Airwars tracked a major fall in reported Coalition civilian casualties in November. Russia remains a problem.
21958
21 Dec, 2017
Update

International airstrikes and civilian casualty claims in Iraq and Syria – November 2017

With ISIS mostly defeated, Airwars tracked a major fall in reported Coalition civilian casualties in November. Russia remains a problem.
21775
16 Dec, 2017
Update
Iraq, Syria

Measuring the cost of Iraq’s victory over ISIS

Iraqi forces supported by the international Coalition have driven so-called Islamic State from the nation's cities and towns. The cost in lives has been significant.