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

6 May 2017

Incident Code

CS775

Location

الشهداء, al Shuhada, Raqqa, Syria
The Step News Agency reported that the Coalition “launched several air raids targeting al Shuhadaa [the Martyrs] district near E’nezan bakery in the city of Raqqa, which resulted in a number of wounded“. Sour News also reported an “air raid” – but didn’t identify the culprit – in the area “between the Bakery of E’nezan…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 May 2017

Incident Code

CS776

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two local sources reported that a civilian was killed in a Coalition airstrike on Al Mayadeen town. There was initially some uncertainty about the date of the event: A Natek reported it on May 8th, while according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – which published its report on May 8th – the named victim…

Summary

Published
6 May 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS777

Location

between Al Jizera and Al Shamiyah (Raqqah), Raqqa, Syria

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 May 2017

Incident Code

CS774

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian males were reported injured in Tabaqa. However how the injuries were sustained was not clear. The two men were said to be in stable condition after being transported from Tabaqa to a hospital in Hasaka, roughly 250km away.

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 May 2017

Incident Code

CI690

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Isilah Zeraei / Agrarian Reform, Nineveh, Iraq
Local media sources said – based on a statement issued by the Al Amaq (ISIL) press agency – that Coalition and Iraqi Air Force airstrikes hit several neighbourhoods in West Mosul, killing 24 civilians and injuring 75 others. A local resident reported that Azzawi Haj Hamid was among the deadly victims in Agrarian Reform neighbourhood.…

Summary

Published
5 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
24
Civilians reported injured
75
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 May 2017

Incident Code

CI691

Location

الاقتصاديين, Mosul, Itkisadeen/ Economist, Nineveh, Iraq
Residents and local media sources said that one civilian was killed and three others were injured after Coalition airstrikes targeted ISIL positions in Iktisadeen (Economists) neighborhood in West Mosul. Sawlf Ateka (local Facebook page) reported that Mahmud Yassin Mahmood al-Mawla was killed after the raids hit houses next to his.

Summary

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