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

2 May 2017

Incident Code

CS762

Location

تل الجاير, Tall al-Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
Five named civilians died in an alleged ‘Coalition’ airstrike on al Dashisha market in Tal al Jayer town east of al Shadadi on the Syrian/Iraqi border, according to local sources. JisiT V, which pointed towards the Coalition, reported that a commercial shop was hit. No Coalition strike was publicly reported in the area that day…

Summary

Published
2 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 May 2017

Incident Code

CI682

Location

Mosul, Al Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq
Twenty five or more civilians were reported killed following a battle in the Hermat area of West Mosul. It was unclear whether Iraqi forces and/or the Coalition were responsible. Amnesty International provided the following field report to Airwars citing an eyewitness: “On 2 May, in the early morning, there was a big attack on my…

Summary

Published
2 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
25
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

CS758

Location

الرقة‎, Al Rumaila and Al Idkhar, Raqqa, Syria
Smart reported that “according to local sources, warplanes likely belonging to the International Alliance targeted the neighborhood of Rumaila, killing four civilians and wounding others and destroying a car belonging to ISIL.” Al Araby also blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at four, though appeared to be citing from Smart. No additional details…

Summary

Published
1 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

CS760

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Sharqiya Voice reported that “Abu Al Zabir al Maghribi, responsible for buying weapons from the locals in what is called al Furat State, was killed along with seven other people after they were targeted by the International Coalition in a raid on Al Bahra desert in eastern Deir Ezzor countryside.” No further details are currently…

Summary

Published
1 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

CS761

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
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 1, 2017, near Tabqah, Syria, via social media report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details to assess its credibility.”…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

CI679

Location

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq
According to local sources – which referred to a statement by Al Amaq (ISIL press agency) and residents of West Mosul – up to 79 civilians were killed and 159 wounded, mostly women and children, after airstrikes of the Coalition and Iraqi forces hit many neighbourhoods in West Mosul over a four day period. M.N.N.…

Summary

Published
1 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
79
Civilians reported injured
159
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident