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

29 April 2017

Incident Code

CS754

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Al Qaryah, Raqqa, Syria
A family was reportedly killed in continued air raids, alleged to be carried out by the Coalition, on the city of Tabaqa. Mohab Nasser named the victims. The victims were also named by Raqqa is being Slaughtered Silently who blamed the Coalition. The source said that the raid was “on a residential home behind al…

Summary

Published
29 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

CS747

Location

دبسي فرج, Dibsi Faraj, Raqqa, Syria
Between three and seven civilians died including two children and one woman in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the villages of Dibsi Faraj and Al Bu’A’ass. The Step News Agency and Damascustodaysy put the death toll at three. However, according to the Smart News Agency, seven non-combatants died, including two children and one woman –…

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

CS748

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
Journalist Mohab Nasser reported the death of three children in a Coalition airstrike on Mansoura. Euphrates Post, also blaming the Coalition, said that three civilians died in the strike of which two were children.

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

CI672

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Several sources reported that seven civilians died and thirteen were wounded as a result of an airstrike – with sources so far not identifying who carried out the strike. Yaqein noted, however, “that the areas in the West of Anbar province have been exposed for days to military operations fought by the Joint Forces and…

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

CI673

Location

الدجة, Mosul, Dajah, Nineveh, Iraq
Two local sources reported on Facebook that twelve civilians – five children and seven women – died when airstrikes hit the Al-Waleed school in Dajah neighbourhood, in West Mosul. Reportedly, several houses in front of the school were destroyed, and residents reported that “people are still pulling the bodies from the rubble.”

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

CI674

Location

الصحة, Mosul, Saha, Nineveh, Iraq
Local press sources and an Iraqi activist said that fifteen civilians died and five were injured after airstrikes hit a house in Saha (Health) neighborhood in West Mosul. Mohammed Fadel al-Hayali, a civilian activist, told TRT Arabic TV: “An airstrike targeted a house in Saha neighbourhood at the western district of Mosul yesterday evening, killing…

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
15–17
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident