Trump Has Already Killed More Civilians Than Obama in US Fight Against ISIS – Newsweek
The U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) has killed more civilians during President Donald Trump's first seven months in office than in the three years it existed under his predecessor, according to the latest estimate by a U.K.-based monitor.
Airwars, which describes itself as a "journalist-led transparency project," released Tuesday its latest data on airstrikes reportedly conducted by the U.S. and its allies battling ISIS and other jihadists in Iraq and Syria. According to data gathered since the coalition's inception in October 2014, the U.S.-dominated multinational force has been responsible for a minimum of 5,117 civilian deaths, with about 55 percent of them occurring during Trump's administration. While the stage of the conflict inherited by the Republican leader has largely involved targeting ISIS's urban strongholdsafter allied gains elsewhere under former President Barack Obama, Trumphas faced backlash at home and abroad over reports of mounting collateral damage.
Related: Syria: Arab tribes who once supported ISIS turn to U.S. as endgame begins in Raqqa
Keep up with this story and more by subscribing now
"During @BarackObama's 29 months at helm of ISIS war we tracked 855 alleged civilian casualty events which likely killed 2298-3398 civilians," Airwars tweeted to the group's official account.
"In @realDonaldTrump's first 7 months as President, we tracked 1,196 alleged incidents in which we assess at least 2,819-4,529 civilians died," it added.
Heavy smoke billows following an airstrike on the western frontline of Raqqa on July 17, 2017, during an offensive by the U.S.-backed, majority-Kurd Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Arabs and ethnic minorities, to retake the city from Islamic State militant group (ISIS). AFP's correspondent said at the time it was the heaviest day of airstrikes to date. BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
The U.S.began conducting airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria in October 2014 as part of what came to be known as the Joint Combined Task ForceOperation Inherent Resolve. The campaign was created in response to lightning gains made across Iraq and Syria by ISIS, a notoriously brutal and powerful offshoot of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. The ultraconservative Sunni Muslim group managed to overpower local forces and expanded its self-proclaimed caliphate across nearly half of the two countries.
The group's lines of defense began to collapse in Iraq as it was targeted by the country's armed forces, Kurdish militias, majority-Shiite Muslim militias backed by Iran and U.S.-led airstrikes. In Syria, U.S. airstrikes assisted the local Kurdish forces and some Arab insurgent groups in taking on the jihadists, while a 2015 Russian intervention allowed Syria's embattled military and its allies, including Iran-backed militias, to retake large parts of the country lost to ISIS and other anti-government groups in the wake of a 2011 uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Assad have also been criticized for reports of high civilian casualties incurred by their joint air campaigns.
When Trump came into office in January, U.S. forces had already begunmajor offensives to help local allies dislodge ISIS from two of its most important cities. Since then, the Iraqi government has declared ISIS defeated in Mosul, by far the largest city to fall into the jihadists' hands, and the Syrian Democratic Forces, a mostly Kurdish alliance of Arabs and ethnic minorities, has beaten ISIS in about half of its de facto capital of Raqqa. As the two campaigns became increasingly urban, civilian casualties increased substantially. In last month's report, Airwars said that about 80 civilians were killed per month under Obama and that that figure had risen to 360 under Trump by July.
A map shows areas of control in Syria on April 3, 2017 and August 8, 2017. In recent months, the Syrian military and its allies have defeated the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) across large parts of central and eastern Syria, while the U.S.-backed, Kurd-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has concentrated largely on defeating ISIS in its de facto capital of Raqqa. Institute for the Study of War/Reuters
Other monitoring groups have also criticized the increasingly deadly consequences of the U.S.-led intervention against ISIS. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based group with ties to the exiled Syrian opposition, said Monday that coalition airstrikes had escalated in the past week, killing 167 people, with at least 42 dead reported from a single airstrike that day.
"Such massacres only add to the deteriorating humanitarian situation of civilians in ISIS-controlled areas in Raqqa city, where death became inevitable awaiting even those who try to flee along with their families to areas far from the doomed city," the group wrote.
See original here:
Trump Has Already Killed More Civilians Than Obama in US Fight Against ISIS - Newsweek
- Former Obama campaign advisor says with DEI purges Trump 'might as well just put on the white hood' - Yahoo News - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Obama's $800M Presidential Center Slapped With DEI Lawsuit - Washington Free Beacon - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama's largest donors abandon them amid rumors of turmoil in marriage; one donor says - The Economic Times - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama are reportedly planning their divorce for "another woman": Their fights are heated and full of resentment - Marca... - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Louisville artists quilt headed to the Obama Presidential Center - WAVE 3 - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Subs Lawsuit Says Racial Discrimination Is Behind Blame for Obama Center Problems - Engineering News-Record - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama's biggest supporters abandon them amid rumored marriage turmoil - Daily Mail - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack Obama faces a big problem with his dream project; here's what it is - The Economic Times - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- The truth about Barack Obama and Michelle's fake divorce over Jennifer Aniston: How the famous rumor was started - Marca English - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Obama Library: Behind Schedule, Over Budget and Mired in Lawsuits - Newsweek - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Trump touts national unity over air disaster before bashing Biden and Obama - Axios - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Obama's Failure To Close Guantanamo Meant It Was Open for Trump To Use - Reason - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Howard University Professor, Who Was Michelle Obama's Ex-Intern, Died In Plane Crash in D.C. - The Root - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says my husband amid divorce rumours with Barack Obama. Heres what she remarked - Mint - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack Obama vs Donald Trump could be on the cards in four years after proposed change - Irish Star - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Obama's speech after plane crash sums up 'difference' between him and Trump - MSN - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- RFK Jr. Is Starting Where Michelle Obama Left, Now With Republican Support - Newsweek - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- US President Trump attacks Obama, Biden after Washington plane crash, says they 'lowered air safety standa - The Economic Times - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack Obama faces another setback amid rumors his marriage with Michelle is on the rocks - Daily Mail - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Y'all Got Michelle and Barack Obama All Wrong - The Root - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- The 'Michelle Obama' house in Fayetteville: Cameras long gone but mission remains | Opinion - The Fayetteville Observer - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Michelle Obama shares message from 'Barack and I' as she reflects on inauguration tragedy amid marriage rumors - Daily Mail - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Barack Obama's heartfelt message to families of crash victims is a stark contrast to Trump's conspiracy rant - Irish Star - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Trump blames Obama and Biden for plane crash as it happened - The Times - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- 'Obama backed Al-Qaeda to topple Assad regime...': Tulsi Gabbard's explosive claim at Senate hearing - The Economic Times - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- The truth behind Donald Trump's astounding claims Biden, Obama and DEI are to blame for crash - Daily Mail - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama appear determined to put on a united front in a bid to combat divorce rumors - Daily Mail - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Viral post claims Sasha Obama spotted looking depressed amid divorce rumors of Barack, Michelle - The Times of India - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston's net worth: A look at their financial success - India Today - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Donald Trumps Fiery Attack On Obama & Bidens Diversity Policies After U.S. Chopper-Plane Crash - Hindustan Times - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Are Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama having an affair? Unpacking the resurfacing rumours - Yahoo News UK - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Divorce rumours? A love triangle with Jennifer Aniston? What's really going on with Michelle & Barack Obama - Evening Standard - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Did a Joke by Barack Obama spark Donald Trumps White House bid? Here's a story of the 'Butterfly effect' - The Economic Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and Jennifer Aniston. Heres what we know about the rumors - PennLive - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- This has to be the most bizarre piece of gossip; I barely know Barack Obama, let alone dating him, says Je - The Economic Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Members of The Obama Administration: Where Are They Now? - The Root - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- How did the Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama affair rumor begin? Here's the breakdown - The Economic Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama's younger daughter Sasha looks downcast and preoccupied and seen for the first t - The Economic Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Obama vs Trump in 2028? Social media users react to Rep introducing proposed change to allow third term i - The Times of India - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Models The Power Of Saying No With Inauguration Skip - Forbes - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- How Barack Obama is Being Plagued by Wild Jennifer Aniston Rumors - Knewz - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Kid Rock Is One Of Many Conservatives Upset About Michelle Obama Refusing To Attend Donald Trump's Inauguration - BuzzFeed - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Jennifer Aniston forced to clarify 'truth' about bizarre Barack Obama affair theory - Irish Star - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Republican introduces measure to allow Trump a third term but not Obama - Salon - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Jennifer Aniston reacts to rumours of her romance with Barack Obama - Gujarat Samachar - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Divorce rumours? A love triangle with Jennifer Aniston? What's really going on with Michelle & Barack Obama - MSN - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Barack And Michelle Obama Face 'Divorce' Rumours: Here's Their Complete Relationship Timeline - Times Now - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Why are rumors spreading of Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston dating? - Straight Arrow News - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Are Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston a couple? Social media reacts to the rumours, call it a political earthquake - Hindustan Times - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Obama, Aniston, and the political earthquake: Why their dating rumors are trending - The Economic Times - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama wasn't at the inauguration, but she shared a message on social media - NBC Chicago - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Former Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush won't be attending Trump's inaugural lunch - NBC News - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Is Barack Obama dating Jennifer Aniston, or is it just gossip? - India Today - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Are Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama dating? Heres what we know - PennLive - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Why is Michelle Obama not attending the inauguration? What to know - NBC Chicago - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- New GOP bill would let Trump (but not Obama) run for a third term - MSNBC - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Barack Obama at inauguration 2025: See photos of former president as Donald Trump sworn in - USA TODAY - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Not Just Jennifer Aniston, Obama Once Sparked Rumours With THIS Woman - Times Now - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Jennifer Aniston allegedly admitted to dating Barack Obama - The Express Tribune - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Column | Martin Luther King Jr., Michelle Obama and Trumps exhausting return - The Washington Post - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- 'Smiling' Barack Obama spotted without Michelle at Trump inauguration, former First Lady shares Instagram - The Economic Times - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Is the Obama family having a hard time, amid the raging relationship speculations of Barack and Jennife - TOI Etimes - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Obama vs Trump in 2028? Social media users react to Rep introducing proposed change to allow third term in office - The Times of India - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- What Michelle Obama Is Up to Amid Absence From Donald Trumps Inauguration - E! NEWS - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama arrive for Trump inauguration - CBS News - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Donald Trump inauguration: Where is Michelle Obama trends online as Barack Obama attends event alone | Today News - Mint - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Lip Reader's Interpretation of Barack Obama's Exchange With George W. Bush Confirms What We're All Thinking - The Root - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Is Jennifer Aniston responsible for Barack and Michelle Obama's alleged frosty relations? Here's what repo - The Economic Times - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston Dating Rumors: Whats the Real Story? - newslooks.com - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- On Michelle Obama's inauguration absence: No need to be phony or fake, there's real work to do - Salon - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Lip reader suggests Obama asked Bush how they could stop whats happening at Trumps inauguration - New York Post - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Barack Obama's funny interaction with George W. Bush about behaving during inauguration fumes Trump supporters - Hindustan Times - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Obama, Schumer, and Jeffries privately pushed for Biden to drop out - CNN - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Why Michelle Obama is skipping Trumps inauguration - The Independent - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Shares Where Her Head Is at During Inauguration - The Daily Beast - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Tells Reporter George W. Bush 'Just Barely' Behaved During Donald Trump's Inauguration - Yahoo Entertainment - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump Inauguration: Barack Obama, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and More Attendees - E! NEWS - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump and Obama share intimate conversation at Carter's funeral - MSN - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- 'Where Is Michelle Obama?': Barack Goes Solo At Jimmy Carter's Funeral, Chats With Trump - MSN - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Does Trump have the authority to rename Gulf of Mexico? Obama did it first, but for this noble reason - Yahoo! Voices - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]