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

10 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1183

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed and several others injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes or artillery fire, according to local sources. The victims identified were reportedly from the same family as others who were injured, which was said to be displaced from Palmyra.

Summary

Published
10 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1184

Location

الطيار, Al Tayyar, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian family were casualties of alleged Coalition air or artillery strikes on the Al Tayyar area of Raqqa, local sources reported. The head of the family was identified by a number of sources, who reported that he and his entire family were killed but did not identify an exact number. Smart News Agency was the…

Summary

Published
10 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2017

Incident Code

CI806

Location

Mosul, Nabi Jarjis, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition lated confirmed the death of a civilian in the Nabi Jaris neighbourhood, Mosul. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS headquarters structure and explosives storage facility, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” Coordinates supplied by Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 July 2017

Incident Code

CI805

Location

الميدان في موصل القديمة, Al Meydan, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Omar al Halbusi, an Iraqi blogger, claimed that roughly 100 civilians were killed and 220 others were injured in alleged artillery bombardment by the Coalition and the Iraqi government on the Al Meydan area of Old Mosul in the two days prior to July 9th. Ninawa Media Center added that 30 families which made up…

Summary

Published
9 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
100
Civilians reported injured
100–220
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1180

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah: Multiple locations, Raqqa, Syria
Thirteen civilians died and 2 more were wounded in alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes on neighbourhoods in Raqqa, local media reported. According to the Smart News Agency, “Coalition aircraft and artillery shelled the neighborhoods of Al Diriyah, Al Nahda, Al Rawda, al Panorama area, Shehata, and Saif al Dawla street near al Dalla roundabout,…

Summary

Published
9 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
22
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1181

Location

الموحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians including four children from the same family died in airstrikes on Mohsen village, according to local media. There were no allegations directly against the Coalition, though some sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Other reports attributed the incident to the Assad regime, while a further source said that it was unclear whether the…

Summary

Published
9 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident