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

1–5 May, 2017

Incident Code

CI685

Location

Mosul, Al Shifa, Nineveh, Iraq
One woman was badly injured in an airstrike on her home – and was then caught up in further airstrikes as she receieved treatment in an ISIS hospital, it was reported. Amnesty International provided the following field report to Airwars citing an eyewitness: “A hit from a ‘Khanzira’- she described this as being an ‘F52’…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

CI681

Location

Mosul, Al Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq
One child was killed and three others were injured in a suspected mortar strike by an unknown party on their family home. Amnesty International provided the following field report to Airwars citing an eyewitness: ”On 1 May, I was sitting in the house, which is about 600-700 metres away from al-Haq mosque. There were 16…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 April 2017

Incident Code

CS757

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a field hospital in Tabaqa, according to the Smart News Agency. Smart reported that “the city was subjected to more than 13 air strikes, which led to the destruction of a field hospital, killing seven people who were wounded inside the hospital, including five civilians, two…

Summary

Published
30 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 April 2017

Incident Code

CI678

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that it could not assess the credibility of an NGO report indicating civilian casualties in the vicinity of Mosul. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “April 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 April 2017

Incident Codes

CS759 RS2192

Location

عويجل, Oweijal, Aleppo, Syria
Between 13 and 16 civilians died and four were injured in an “unexplained” explosion in the village of Oweijal, local media said – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia were to blame. Most sources blamed the Syrian regime for the strikes. An unspecific numbers of civilians were wounded, however…

Summary

Published
30 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
13–16
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 April 2017

Incident Code

CS755

Location

دوار البانوراما, Panorama Roundabout, Raqqa, Syria
One child died and his father was wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local media. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “an air raid targeted the new agriculture building near Al Panorama roundabout, killing several civilians and causing damage to private property.” According to a further report by RBSS a…

Summary

Published
30 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident