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

30 May 2017

Incident Code

CS892

Location

ابو قبيع, Abu Qubei, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Abu Qubei, according to local sources.    

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 May 2017

Incident Code

CS893

Location

السكرية, Sukariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to three civilians including one child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Sukariya, according to local media. Sources said that a Coalition raid hit a middle school on the outskirts of the town. According to Sharqiya Voice, a child was left with “minor injuries”. However, Aghiad_alkheder and @soundandpic – which also blamed the…

Summary

Published
30 May 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 May 2017

Incident Code

CS894

Location

مزرعة الروضة, Rawda Farm, Raqqa, Syria
Seven civilians from the Al-Mashhoud family died in a casualty event at Rawda Farm – near the old mosque area – though reports were conflicted as to whether they were killed by US-led Coalition airstrikes or shelling by the SDF or US. According to Alaraby, “local sources told Al-Arab Al-Jadeed that seven civilians from the…

Summary

Published
30 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 May 2017

Incident Code

CI738

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that up to 200 civilians were killed and dozens wounded after airstrikes hit their houses in Zanjili neighbourhood (West Mosul) at dawn. Omar Al Halbusi said on Facebook that the victims were mostly women and children, and that their bodies were still under the rubble. @NinevehIraq reported on Twitter that Mohammed Bassil…

Summary

Published
30 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–200
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 May 2017

Incident Code

CI739

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “11. May 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: The report contains insufficient information of the time, location…

Summary

Published
30 May 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 May 2017

Incident Code

CI740

Location

Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on a self-reported claim of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “95. May 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was…

Summary

Published
30 May 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident