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

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS990

Location

الحني, Al Hani neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that “a number” of civilians were killed in the Al Hani neighbourhood of Raqqa, allegedly following SDF artillery fire. Two of the four sources, Baladi News and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, alleged that the US-backed SDF was responsible whereas the remaining two did not apportion blame. However, the SDF did not…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CI762

Location

دكة بركة, Dakat Barak, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Two civilians from the same family were reported killed by an unknown rocket and "random bombing", according to local sources. Sawlf Ateka reported the dead civilians as Mishan Mohammad Qasim al-Hiyawi and his grandson Hashim Firas. Other sources identified the two as victims but did not clarify who was responsible. In February 2019, the Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CI763

Location

تلعفر, Tal Afar, Al-Taqwa Mosque, Nineveh, Iraq
Eight Iraqi police were accidentally injured and one or two killed following an airstrike, according to multiple sources. According to Yaqein, “a government source said in a statement that ‘the fourth regiment of the Ninewa Emergency Police headed to support the federal police in the area of ​​Wadi Akab in west Mosul, adding that as…

Summary

Published
14 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
19
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

CS991

Location

سوق الهال القديم في شارع ٢٣ شباط, Next to Salam Hospital on February 23 Street (at the corner Mansour Street), Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was reportedly killed following artillery strikes on February 23 Street, Raqqa, likely carried out by US forces. A number of local sources named the victim as Ahmad Tarad al Khalifa al Haj. Abdulsalam Farij, a relative of the deceased, said via Facebook that the man died as a result of being wounded…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS992

Location

near Kashrat Sheiykh al Juma’a (Raqqah), Syria, Raqqa, Syria

Summary

Published
14 June 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS993

Location

near Raqqah, Syria, Raqqa, Syria

Summary

Published
14 June 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident