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

9 May 2017

Incident Codes

CI703

Location

July 17 neighbourhood, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
A single local source – a relative of the victim – said on Facebook that her cousin Laith Azhar Saadallah al-Obeidi died after an airstrike hit his house in July 17 neighbourhood in West Mosul. “My cousin was martyred on Monday. Laith Azhar Saadallah al-Obeidi, after he was hit on his house on July 17,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 May 2017

Incident Code

CI701

Location

عنة والقائم, Al Qaim and Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq
At least 27 civilians were reportedly killed and dozens wounded by airstrikes in Anbar province, according to local sources. Iraqi Spring Media Center said that 27 civilians were killed and 50 wounded in strikes on the towns of Anah and Al Qaim, in western Anbar. Yaqein put the death toll at 38 – “mostly civilians”…

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
27–37
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 May 2017

Incident Code

CI702

Location

مشيرفة, Mosul, Meshrfa, Nineveh, Iraq
A girl and a man were killed by mortar fire in western Mosul, according to local reports. Sawlf Ateka posted on Facebook that a girl named Rama was killed by a mortar which landed on their home in the Meshrfa neighborhood of western Mosul. The attack wounded “all members of her family” as well. Separately,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 May 2017

Incident Code

CS789

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
A child died and up to eight others were killed or wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mansoura village, according to local media. The alliance later accepted responsibility for one death. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said an air raid “targeted the house of Mahmoud al Yatim" killing a child. The source didn’t say…

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 May 2017

Incident Code

CS790

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Raqqa, Syria
Twelve civilians including up to eight women and four children died and dozens more were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Salhiya village, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at ten victims including four children and four women – and blamed the Coalition, while Bassam Jaara…

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–14
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 May 2017

Incident Code

CS791

Location

الحي الثاني, Tabaqah, al Thani, Raqqa, Syria
The Smart News Agency reported that a likely Coalition airstrike killed “a family of five people and wounded three others on Tuesday evening following raids on the consumer association in the Second [al Thani] district.” The VDC later named one adult civilian male “as a victim of international coalition raids on Tabaqa.”

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident