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

27 April 2017

Incident Code

CS740

Location

حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria
Eleven civilians were killed in Coalition airstrikes in Raqqa in the northern district of Rumaila, a number of local sources reported. According to Al Araby and the Revolutionary Forces of Syria’s media office, the strikes took place “near the headquarters of al-Hesba” – the base of ISIL’s religious police. The same two sources said a…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

CI668

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Islah al Zirai, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that nineteen civilians died when international Coalition or Iraqi aircraft hit Islah Al Zerae neighbourhood in West Mosul. Yaqein also noted that two houses were fully destroyed. Several other sources reported that in total on that Friday, up to 36 civilians were injured or killed as a result of airstrikes on West…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
19–35
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

CI669

Location

مشيرفة, Mosul, Meshrfa, Nineveh, Iraq
A local eyewitness resident said that three civilians were killed including a young boy as a result of unspecified mortar shelling on a house in Meshrifa at the western side of Mosul. An unpublished Amnesty International field report shared with Airwars cited a local resident: “A week before the liberation [27 April], a mortar landed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

CI670

Location

Near Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm claims “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “91. April 27, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

CI671

Location

Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm claims “near Mosul, Iraq” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “8. April 27, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After review of the available information it was assessed…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2017

Incident Code

CS735

Location

حمرة بلاسم, Hamra Blassem, Raqqa, Syria
According to a single source, the Smart News Network, four civilians including one girl died and seven others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the villages of Hamra Blassem and and Hamra Nasser. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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