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

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1149

Location

حي الدرعية, Al Dar'ia, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian brothers were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the Dar'iya neighbourhood of Raqqa, local sources reported. Initially, the strike was reported to have taken place in the Al Badou neighbourhood, but Q_Alenzy corrected this the following day: "Martyrs of the family "Al-Ward" who were martyred by an air strike of the coalition before…

Summary

Published
3 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1150

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A “number” of civilians were reportedly killed and wounded in airstrikes on Al Hissan in Deir Ezzor, but it was not definitively clear who was responsible. Shaam News Network and, Euphrates Post both blamed unidentified aircraft. No further details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1151

Location

منطقة الفيلات, al Fillat, Raqqa, Syria
An elderly civilian male was killed as a result of rocket fire on the Al Fillat area, west of Abu al Hayef station in Raqqa. However it was not clear who was responsible. No further details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

CI796

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Two local sources reported the death of a young man, called Hakam Marwan Ghazi, after air strikes were said to have hit him the day before. His body was still under the rubble – and his family were not yet able to bury him. Sawlf Ateka (local Facebook page) later reported that Mohammed Sharif (Abu…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

CI797

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local medical sources reported that civil defense teams had pulled as many as 74 bodies from the rubble in Zanjili neighbourhood (West/Old Mosul). The civilians had died as a result of different kinds of shelling on their houses. Airwars researchers contacted local medical sources, who said a total number of 74 civilians were killed. This…

Summary

Published
2 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
74
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

CI798

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
One woman died and others were injured after a suspected Coalition airstrike destroyed a house. As Associated Press reported: “Iraqi forces have repeatedly requested airstrikes in Mosul, often to kill teams of just two or three IS fighters armed with light weapons. Manhal Munir was sheltering in the basement of his home with his extended…

Summary

Published
2 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident