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

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1318

Location

مدرسة سيف الدولة, Ar Raqqah: Near Saif Al Dawla school, Raqqa, Syria
Ten civilians died including different generations of the same family in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. All sources pointed towards the Coalition carrying out an air or artillery strike. Airwars understands that only the Coalition has access to artillery in Raqqa. The date has been changed due to further Amnesty field research confirming the…

Summary

Published
13 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CI810

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
A civilian Yazidi woman was reportedly killed following the bombardment of areas within Old Mosul. However, it was not immediately clear who was responsible. The victim from the village of Kuju and she is a sister of Catherine. Previously kidnapped by ISIS. Abather Altamimi reported that the woman was killed during shelling of the last…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1201

Location

هشام عبد الملك, Ar Raqqah: Hisham Bin Abd Al Malek neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Nine civilians including seven children and two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hisham bin Abdul Malik, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network said that the strike happened near the Al-Mari’ Bakery, while RFS reported that the bakery itself was struck. All sources blamed the Coalition, with Sharqiya Voice referring specifically…

Summary

Published
13 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1193

Location

ﺍﻟﺴﻌﺪﺓ, Al Sa'ada, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians from the same family including a woman and two children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Sa’ada al Gharbiya village, local media reported. According to Al-khabour, “international coalition aircraft launched several raids on the village and one of the rockets hit the house of Mr. Khalaf Hussein al-Jabr, resulting in the…

Summary

Published
12 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1194

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ten civilians reportedly died in up to 25 alleged airstrikes by the Coalition in different areas of Al Mayadin, according to local media. Multiple sources reported Coalition airstrikes in Al Mayadin. Step News Agency reported that the Coalition had intensified strikes on Al Mayadin, but had no reports on the “size of losses”. According to…

Summary

Published
12 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2017

Incident Code

CI809

Location

القليعات, Al Qaliat, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that despite the recapturing of Mosul by the US-backed Iraqi army, Coalition airstrikes continued to target ISIL positions in Al Qaliat on the outskirts of the city. Ninawa Media Center reported that there were ‘many’ wounded civilians, including women and children, in the area. However, it was not clear airstrikes caused this.…

Summary

Published
12 July 2017
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident