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

28 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1116

Location

ﻣﻨﻄﻘﺔ ﺍﻻﺩﺧﺎﺭ ﻭﺻﻮﺍﻣﻊ ﺍﻟﺤﺒﻮﺏ, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
According to Al Hassaka Rasd, “The International Alliance Aviation targeted the area of al Idkhar and the grain silos with several air raids this morning. The death of a pharmacist was documented in the coalition raids on the city of Raqqa”. The Syrian Press Center and @Raqqa24 both also reported the incident and alleged that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CI788

Location

خزرج, Mosul, Khazraj, Nineveh, Iraq
A local residents’ Facebook page and local press reported that Abdel Fattah Jassim Al-Sharifi died after a ‘random’ bombing on Khazraj district in Old Mosul. Al-Sharifi used to be the owner of the library Bassam in Najafi Street. No further details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CI789

Location

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq
Several local sources reported that a family of five was killed and one of the sons – a 4-year-old boy – severely injured after alleged Coalition airstrikes on their house in West Mosul (exact location presently unknown). Iraqi Spring Media Center quoted MP Riabar Taha of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), who reported the…

Summary

Published
27 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1103

Location

جامع الحني, Al Hinni mosque, Raqqa, Syria
An 80-year-old man was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on or near the Al Hinni Mosque in Raqqa, local sources reported. The male was a resident of Al Mu’taaz Street where the mosque lies and where the strike took place. Four of five sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1104

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, local sources reported. Both sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details were available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1105

Location

حي القادسية, al Qadissiya, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians, including a boy, were reportedly killed and 11 others were injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes near the Al Zahra Private School, west of Al Jazra junction in Raqqa. The source, Al Hasaka Arabea, also identified the wounded as Hana, who is the wife of the deceased man, their son Subhi and their three…

Summary

Published
27 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident