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

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CI807

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that 200 homes in Old Mosul to the west of the city were completely destroyed with many of their residents presumed dead following the intense fighting of the previous weeks. Hossam al Din al Abbar, a member of the Ninveh Provincial Council, was quoted by several sources as saying: The civil defence…

Summary

Published
11 July 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1186

Location

الزيانات, Al Zaynat, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least 11 civilians across three families, including several women and children, were killed and several others were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the ISIL-controlled village of Al Zaynat, to the south of Markada, local sources reported. According to Syrian PC “Media sources in Al-Hasakah, including Al-Khabour, said that the Coalition air force carried…

Summary

Published
11 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1187

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Twenty civilians, including women and children, were killed and 30 more were injured in a series of alleged Coalition airstrikes on Abu Kamal in eastern Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Multiple sources blamed the Coalition, putting death counts at either four or five non-combatants. Euphrates Post also reported that the first strikes at 11am hit…

Summary

Published
11 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1188

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An elderly civilian male, was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. Both sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible. All sources reported that the US-led Coalition was responsible.

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 July 2017

Incident Code

CI808

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Raqqa, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of three civilians in an event near Mosul, Iraq. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that engaged an ISIS tactical unit, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally injured." Coalition officials indicated that this is…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1182

Location

Al Mayadin, Dream Mall, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least three civilians, including two children, were reported killed and dozens more injured in airstrikes on Al Mayadin, but it was contested who was responsible. Euphrates Post described the incident as a “massacre” and reported that “scores” of people were killed, but was the only source to suggest more than three people were killed.…

Summary

Published
10 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident