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

15 May 2017

Incident Code

CS826

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a major casualty incident, up to 73 civilians including 15 children and six women died and up to 120 others were wounded airstrikes on Abu Kamal, according to local media. The majority of the victims were reportedly displaced people. Conflicting sources blame the US-led Coalition and the Iraqi air force. Additionally, one source attributed…

Summary

Published
15 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
60–73
Civilians reported injured
24–120
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 May 2017

Incident Code

CI714

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq
A UN report on the protection of civilians in context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: “On 15 May, an airstrike targeting passing ISIL vehicles damaged a civilian house in the ISIL-controlled al- Rifae neighbourhood of western Mosul, killing five civilians, including two women and a child, and wounding 11 others, including…

Summary

Published
15 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 May 2017

Incident Code

CS827

Location

الماكف, Al Makef, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on the Al Makef area of Raqqa, according to local sources. The Coalition later confirmed responsibility for the deaths. In July 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in this strike: “During a strike on Daesh fighting positions and supply routes, two civilians were unintentionally killed.”…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 May 2017

Incident Code

CI713

Location

حي النجار, Najjar neighbourhood, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources, including a friend of one of the victims, said that the entire family of Al-Haj Alaa Al-Safi (consisting of eight people) died after a Coalition airstrike hit their home in Najjar neighborhood, in West Mosul. Sources reported that most of the victims were women. The Coalition later reported that it had unintentionally…

Summary

Published
15 May 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 May 2017

Incident Code

CS822

Location

شنينة, Shanina, Raqqa, Syria
Between five and nine civilians, including two women and up to seven children, were killed – and up to 45 others were wounded – in alleged Coalition airstrikes in the Shaneina refugee camp to the north of Raqqa city. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) reported that 14-year-old Abdullah Mohammed al Fayad, Abu Zuhri, his…

Summary

Published
14 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
6–45
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 May 2017

Incident Code

CS823

Location

مزرعة العدنانية, Adnaniya, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Adnaniya farm in Raqqa. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) named the victim as 30-year-old Abdullah al Khalawai. Both RBSS and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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