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

29 May 2017

Incident Code

CI737

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of a self-reported civilian harm claim “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “94.May 29, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 May 2017

Incident Code

CS877

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Six named civilians from the Ashram family – displaced from Deir ez-Zor – died in a casualty event in Raqqa, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether they were killed by Coalition airstrikes or shelling by the US or SDF. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Euphrates Post were…

Summary

Published
28 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2017

Incident Code

CS878

Location

الحمام, Al Hamam, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians including a woman and her child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hamman village, according to local media. The victims included Hayat of Mustafa al-Saguri (daughter of Hayaof Sajur) and her unnamed child. In April 2019, the Coalition accepted responsibility for this event, noting: "Coalition aircraft conducted a strike on a suspected Daesh…

Summary

Published
28 May 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2017

Incident Code

CS879

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
Up to three civilian men died as a result of a Coalition airstrike on Mansoura, local media said. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on May 30th, “two men died following injuries they had sustained in shelling by the International Coalition’s warplanes on areas in al-Mansoura town in the western countryside of al-Raqqa”.…

Summary

Published
28 May 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2017

Incident Code

CS880

Location

حارة البدو, Al Badou, Raqqa, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians died and one named civilian was injured in airstrikes and/or an artillery bombardment on Raqqa’s Bado neighbourhood, according to local sources. Mohammed Amiro was named as injured when an artillery shell fell behind the Directorate of Water in the Bado neighbourhood – though sources didn’t identify the culprit. RFS reported…

Summary

Published
28 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2017

Incident Code

CI736

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources and eyewitnesses reported that 15 civilians were killed, including children and women, and more than 20 others were injured after airstrikes hit their homes in Farouk Street in Old Mosul. Most sources blamed the Coalition for the shelling. Witnesses had told Al Jazeera that the civilians had died after raids hit popular…

Summary

Published
28 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
8–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident