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 Code

CS792

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A number of civilians were reported injured alongside ISIS fighters, after Coalition aircraft disrupted a public execution by ISIS in Abu Kamal's Fayhaa Square. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “the Coalition carried out airstrikes and targeted an Islamic State headquarters in al-Bokamal city on the border with Iraq. The bombing killed at…

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
11–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Code

CS787

Location

حي الاسكندرية, Tabaqah, Ishtiqariyah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in a strike on ISIS headquarters in al Tabaqah. Their August 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS headquarters, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian, who was not observed near…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Code

CI697

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq
A doctor reported to local media that up to 300 civilians had been killed and wounded in 48 hours of heavy fighting in West Mosul Farid Orfali, a doctor at a German field hospital on the western Mosul border, had told Alaraby news that “more than 300 civilians have been killed and wounded, and we…

Summary

Published
8 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
100–250
Civilians reported injured
100–250
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Code

CI698

Location

Mosul, Al Hermat (nr al Haque mosque), Nineveh, Iraq
Three civilians were killed and three injured in a mortar strike by an unknown party during the battle for control of al Hermat, according to an Amnesty International field investigation. Amnesty shared the following eyewitness report with Airwars: “On 8 May, a mortar shell fell on my neighbour’s house, in Hermat 5, right next to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Code

CS788

Location

near Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on August 4th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Raqqah, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report,”102. May 8, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media report: After a review of available information it was assessed that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Code

CI695

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Islah al Zirai, Nineveh, Iraq
Two local sources reported that three children and their mother were killed after a either an airstrike or rocket attack hit their house in Islah Al Zerae neighborhood, in West Mosul. The Nineveh Media Centre reported that “Local source confirmed the martyrdom of three children and their mother when a rocket attack targeted their house.”…

Summary

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