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

16 May 2017

Incident Code

CS829

Location

السمرة, Raqqa al Samra, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian woman was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Samra village, east of Raqqa city. The woman was named as Siham al Abd al Zai’t by al Raqqa Truth. According to Thoar al Raqqa, the strikes took place at midnight. Three sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible for the strikes, which reportedly…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 May 2017

Incident Code

CS830

Location

ﺍﻟﻄﺒﻘﺔ, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Tabaqa, according to the Violations Documentation Center in Syria. The man was named as Waddah Gassan al Qassas by both sources. No further details are available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 May 2017

Incident Code

CS831

Location

الخياله البهاديل, Al Khayala Al Bahadil, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian males were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Al Khayala al Bahadil village to the west of Raqqa. One Facebook user Alla Adin Adin named one of the victim as Faisal al Mohammed al Ahmad and Sharqiya Voice named the other as Agha Anwar al Borsan. Several people were also injured in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 May 2017

Incident Code

CI715a

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an event near Mosul. Their April 2018 civilian casualty report noted: "It was assessed that during a Coalition strike against an ISIS commander, ISIS headquarters and VBIED operation which destroyed the VBIED operation, two civilians were unintentionally…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 May 2017

Incident Code

CI715

Location

حي النجار, Mosul, Al-Najjar, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents said that two named brothers had died in Najjar neighbourhood, after what two sources reported as Coalition airstrikes on their house. Other sources spoke of “indiscriminate shelling” more broadly, and Nineveh Media Center spoke of a rocket attack on the home. Iraqyoon Agency said that the Coalition had targeted a house next to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 May 2017

Incident Code

CI716

Location

الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local media and residents reported that 20 civilians were killed and seven houses were destroyed after airstrikes targeted armed ISIL combatants in Zanjili neighborhood, in West Mosul. The strikes were launched opposite the mosque of al-Shaheed Muhammad Nuri. Sawlf Ateka said that the Coalition had targeted a car bomb, which was located at the Hamid…

Summary

Published
16 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident