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

4 May 2017

Incident Code

CI687

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
Residents and local media sources said that Iraqi or Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces hit Al Walaa school, in the 17 July neighbourhood in West Mosul. This reportedly led to the death of up to 81 civilians – of whom 18 were children – and left 86 civilians injured. The school was said…

Summary

Published
4 May 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
69–81
Civilians reported injured
60–86
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2017

Incident Code

CI688

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
In a previously unknown allegation, the Coalition denied involvement in an incident that they said was reported on social media. In their July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition wrote: “May 4, 2017, near Ar Rutbah, Iraq, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the…

Summary

Published
4 May 2017
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2017

Incident Code

CI689

Location

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, Meshrfa, Nineveh, Iraq
A field investigation by Amnesty International found that a number of civilians were injured or possibly killed in an air or ground attack on the 60th Street area of Msherfa in West Mosul. The following Amnesty field report citing an eyewitness was shared with Airwars: “My family and I were staying at my aunt’s house…

Summary

Published
4 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2017

Incident Code

CS768

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Between 6 and 12 civilians died and up to 17 were wounded in a Coalition airstrikes on three locations in Raqqa, according to local media. The Coalition later confirmed to have killed four and injured seven civilians in this strike. According to Alitihad Press, “local sources in Al Raqqa confirmed that several international air strikes…

Summary

Published
4 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–12
Civilians reported injured
10–17
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2017

Incident Code

CS769

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Seven civilians reportedly died and dozens more were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tabaqa, according to local media. The Smart News Agency reported “that warplanes likely belonging to the international coalition launched six raids on the first [al Awwal] and third [al Thaleth] neighborhoods in the city on Thursday evening, killing seven civilians, including…

Summary

Published
4 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2017

Incident Code

CS767

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, “aircraft likely belonging to the Coalition launched raids on the modern neighborhoods in the city of Tabaqa, parts of which are still controlled by IS, killing 12 civilians including three women and a child, and five members of the organization. The source added that more than 27 civilians and…

Summary

Published
3 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
10–26
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident