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

3 May 2017

Incident Code

CI684

Location

Mosul, Al Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq
One civilian was injured in a mortar strike by an unknown party on al Hermat in West Mosul, according to an eyewitness. Amnesty International provided the following field report to Airwars citing an eyewitness: “At the time of the explosions and the bombings, the windows would shatter, and shrapnel would fly everywhere. Because of this,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 May 2017

Incident Code

CI683

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Islah al Zirai, Nineveh, Iraq
A newly married husband and wife were killed and two young children injured in an airstrike on al Islah al Zirae in West Mosul on May 3rd. The event was later confirmed to be an Australian action. Amnesty International provided the following field report to Airwars citing an eyewitness: “We were getting dressed to leave…

Summary

Published
3 May 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2017

Incident Code

CS763

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
At least six civilians were reportedly killed and nine others wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the Syrian city of Al Tabaqa, 55km west of Raqqa. Nearly every source alleged that the US-led Coalition was responsible, with the Syrian Popular Movement saying the Coalition was “likely” the culprit. A later report from the Syrian Press…

Summary

Published
3 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–12
Civilians reported injured
9–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2017

Incident Code

CS764

Location

الرقة‎, al Thakanna, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was killed alongside three ISIL fighters and five others were wounded in an airstrike on the city of Raqqa, according to a local source. Smart News Agency reported that the civilian was arrested by ISIL’s religious police, known as the Hesba, on charges of “smoking” and was in a car driven by the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 May 2017

Incident Code

CS765

Location

هنيدة, Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, likely Coalition warplanes “targeted a a mosque in the town of Hunaida (36 west of the city of Raqqa), killing two civilians and wounding a third seriously.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the Hamada al Elaywi mosque was destroyed in the afternoon Coalition raid. Other sources…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 May 2017

Incident Code

CS766

Location

شعيب الذكر, Sho'aib Al Zakir, Raqqa, Syria
Two local sources reported that Coalition airstrikes allegedly took place in Shoai’b Al-Zake on the outskirts of Dabsi Afnan, injuring several civilians. The village lies roughly 30km west of Tabaqa, and lies on the main road connecting the city and Aleppo. No civilian deaths have been reported and no further information is available at this…

Summary

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