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

23 June 2017

Incident Code

CI783

Location

Mosul, junction of Al Farouq and Al Makkawi streets, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an attack on Mosul's Old City. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS artillery position, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1062

Location

شارع ال ١٦ في حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria
Seven or eight civilians including women and children from the same family died in an alleged Coalition artillery on 16th Street in Raqqa’s Rumaila neighbourhood, according to local sources. The date has been changed from the 23rd to the 22nd since Amnesty International conducted field research in Raqqa. Q_Alenzy reported the death of six members…

Summary

Published
22 June 2017
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1055 RS2299

Location

Al Taybeh, Homs, Syria
One male baby was named as a victim of an airstrike on Raqqa by some local sources. However, this appears to have been a reporting error – with the child in fact likely to have been killed in a Russian, regime or Coalition airstrike on al Taybeh, east of Palmyra. MC Palmyra added that members…

Summary

Published
22 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1056

Location

الشواخ, Shawakj, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians including two children and one woman died in “shelling” on Shawakj, Deir ez-Zor, according to local sources – though it was unclear who was responsible, with only one source attributing the event to Russia. Free Deir Radio referred to “shelling” but didn’t identify the culprit However, Hasaka Rasd blamed Russia for targeting “Harwil…

Summary

Published
22 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1057

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that nine civilians were killed and “many” others were wounded in airstrikes and artillery fire on Raqqa city. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently identified two of the victims (see below) and mentioned that they reportedly were displaced from the town of Samouma in Maskana, as two of the fatalities. Ahmad Shibli said…

Summary

Published
22 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CI780

Location

الساعة, Mosul, Al Saaha, Nineveh, Iraq
A local Facebook page reported that Professor Ghanem Ismail Ahmed (Abu Nashwan) was killed by unspecified bombing in a house in which he had taken refuge, in Saaha neighbourhood in Old Mosul. He was a former head of the al-Thawra school, and of the Imam al-Satt Nafisa Mosque. In December 2018, the Coalition announced that…

Summary

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