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

10 May 2017

Incident Code

CS798

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadeen, according to a single source. The Shaam News Network was the only source pointing directly towards the Coalition, reporting that “international coalition planes launched an air strike targeting an arms factory belonging to IS in the city of Mayadeen, which led to the explosion…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 May 2017

Incident Code

CI704

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq
At least 35 civilians were allegedly killed and over 100 wounded in attacks on eight west Mosul neighbourhoods blamed on both the Coalition and Iraqi government forces. Yaqein reported that 170 civilians were killed or wounded in several neighborhoods in western Mosul. Among those named were Rifai, Agrarian Reform, Industry and Oreibi. Other sources, including…

Summary

Published
10 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
35
Civilians reported injured
133
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2017

Incident Code

CS793

Location

شنينة, Shanina, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians including two children and one woman were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes at Shanina village, north of Raqqa city. Among the dead were one woman and two children, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the names of civilians killed. All three sources alleged the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 May 2017

Incident Code

CS794

Location

مساكن الادخار, Masaken al Idkar, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was killed and seven others were injured in airstrikes “likely” carried out by the Coalition in Masaken al Iskhar neighbourhood, in Raqqa city, a local source told Smart News Agency. The victims were reportedly taken to Raqqa National Hospital. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
10 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 May 2017

Incident Code

CI699

Location

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local press sources reported that ‘dozens of civilians were killed and injured’ in raids by the Iraqi government and/or the Coalition on Zanjili neighboordhood, in West Mosul. Yaqein Agency spoke of “heavy and indiscriminate shelling”. No further details are presently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 May 2017

Incident Code

CI700

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq
A father and son were caught in a bombing in western Mosul, according to local reports. Several sources, including Sawlf Ateka, reported that Dr. Nuri Saeed al-Rawaji was killed along with his son Omar in the Rifae neighborhood of western Mosul. Ajel Al Mosul blamed their deaths on Iraq security forces, as did Yaqein, which…

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident