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

4 June 2017

Incident Code

CS919

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
At least two civilians died when the Coalition allegedly struck their vehicle as they attempted to escape from Raqqa towards Hitteen Farms, according to local media. According to Syrian Mirror, “The aircraft of the International Alliance launched air raids on the neighborhoods of the city of Raqqa, which is under the control of the state…

Summary

Published
4 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 June 2017

Incident Code

CI747

Location

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Lakash, Nineveh, Iraq
A local source told Airwars’ Iraq-based field researcher that two of his family members died in the Bab Lakash neighbourhood of Mosul, after Coalition airstrikes allegedly targeted their house at 3pm in the afternoon while they were praying. The family member provided Airwars with the names of the casualties.

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 June 2017

Incident Code

CI748

Location

عنه, near Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 June 2017

Incident Code

CS915

Location

حي الدرعية, Dar’iya, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians including one child and two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Dari’ya, according to local media. Radio AlKul reported that four people from one family were killed in a Coalition raid. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “a woman, her daughter and her mother were killed as a…

Summary

Published
4 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2017

Incident Code

CI745

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that six members of the same family were killed after airstrikes struck their home in Zanjili neighborhood, in West Mosul. Iraqyoon Agency reported that it was the family of As’ad Younis Majid al-Rawi. The news agency also said that the family was displaced – they had fled from al-Midan to Zanjili neighbourhood.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 June 2017

Incident Code

CS907

Location

حاوي الهوى, Hawi al Hawa, Raqqa, Syria
Between five and eight non-combatants died in a casualty event in Hawi al Hawa, local media said – though reports were conflicted as to whether the cause of death was a Coalition airstrike or artillery shelling by the US or SDF. According to the Smart News Agency, “Coalition forces raided the village of Hawi al-Hawa,…

Summary

Published
3 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident