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

8 June 2017

Incident Code

CI754

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 June 2017

Incident Code

CS954

Location

الرقة, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
An August 2017 Amnesty International report documented a civilian casualty incident in Raqqa, in which 9 members of the same family were killed on June 8th, 2017. The neighbour of the family had told the organization’s field researchers that in the early evening, Abdallah Allawi, his wife Muntaha, and their seven sons, aged between three…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS928 RS2270

Location

طريق السده ا, Al Sadda road, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 9 and 10 civilians died in an airstrike on a van or small bus near the Al Sadda road, Al Quriya, Deir Ezzor, according to local media. While most sources blamed the Coalition (which confirmed targeting a vehicle in the province on the day), one outlet alleged that Russia was responsible. Sound and Picture,…

Summary

Published
7 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
4–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 June 2017

Incident Code

CI751

Location

عنه, Anah, Anbar, Iraq
Local sources reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed or wounded in the morning of June 7th as a result of airstrikes on houses in residential areas in the city of Anah, in the west of Anbar province. Presently no further details are known. Yaqein suggested that it might be the work of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 June 2017

Incident Code

CI752

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition confirmed the death of a civilian in an incident near Mosul in June 2017. Their September 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on ISIS fighters engaging partner forces from a fighting position, it was assessed that one civilian, not observed near the target…

Summary

Published
7 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS930a ISSY001a

Location

الشجرة, Al Shajra, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported that alleged airstrikes struck a building in Al Shajra town which several sources referred to as an "Islamic Court" while others described it as the headquarters of the "Islamic Army of Khalid Bin Al-Walid" - a faction that has been accused of being associated with the "Islamic State". Sources were conflicted as…

Summary

Published
7 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
13–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Israeli Military
View Incident