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

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CI781

Location

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Al Jadida, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that eight civilians were killed as a result of mortar shelling on the market of liberated New Mosul neighbourhood. This happened near the Al-Taibat restaurant and next to the Fathi Al-Ali mosque in New Mosul neighborhood, in the western part of the city. It is presently unclear who was responsible for the…

Summary

Published
22 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1058

Location

المتحف, Muthaf museum, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed following alleged Coalition airstrikes near the museum area of Raqqa. Al Raqqa Truth and Mohannad al Mofdi identified the male victim by name as they reported his death on June 24th and said that he had been killed “a few days ago”. No further details were available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CI777

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Four named brothers and other family members were killed in an attack in Old Mosul. News of Iraq named four brothers – Othman, Bakr, Omar and Ali – who it said were killed along with “their entire family” by government shelling. See also incident CI778.

Summary

Published
21 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CI778

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of seven civilians in an event in Mosul. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on ISIS fighters engaging partner forces from a fighting position, it was assessed that seven civilians, not observed near the target before the…

Summary

Published
21 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CI779

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an attack on Old Mosul. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on ISIS fighters, it was assessed that one civilian, not observed near the target during the engagement, was unintentionally killed.” The Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1050

Location

النور, Al Nour, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that 18 civilians were killed and 10 others were injured following alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes and possible SDF mortar attacks in the Al Nour neighbourhood, near the Al Nour Mosque, in the northeast of Raqqa. All 12 sources who reported the incident alleged that a combination of Coalition airstrikes and…

Summary

Published
21 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
18
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident