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

26 April 2017

Incident Code

CS736

Location

Northern Raqqa countryside, Raqqa, Syria
Al Raqqa Truth and the Raqqa News Network reported the death of one man in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the northern Raqqa countryside. No further details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 April 2017

Incident Code

CI665

Location

حاوي الكنيسة, Mosul, Hawi al Kanassa, Nineveh, Iraq
Seven family members – including five children – died in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Hawi Al Kanissa neighbourhood early on Wednesday, locals said. Sources furthermore reported to Yaqein Agency that “the military bombardment of the neighborhood has caused considerable material damage to the houses of citizens near the targeted house.” All sources said the Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 April 2017

Incident Code

CI666

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq
In two tweets, which appeared to be based on a single statement by the ISIL press agency, it was reported that about 24 civilians died and 26 were injured as a result of alleged Coalition and Iraqi airforce raids on several districts in West Mosul.

Summary

Published
26 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
24
Civilians reported injured
26
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2017

Incident Code

CI667

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied involvement in an incident that it said had been reported on social media. In its report, the Coalition wrote: “April 26, 2017, near Hawija, Iraq, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 April 2017

Incident Code

CS732

Location

الفلاحة, Felaha, Raqqa, Syria
One adult male was killed in an airstrike on the Felaha area behind Rabia’a school in Raqqa, according to local sources. R.Tahrir.Alsham and the Shaam News Network reported that a “bulldozer” or “trucks” were struck by “a military drone” killing the driver. The sources didn’t identify the culprit or say whether the driver was a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 April 2017

Incident Code

CS733

Location

دبسي عفنان, Debsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria
A number of local sources said that at least two people were killed and 14 more injured as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes in the western Tabaqa countryside in the village of Debsi Afnan. A report from Smart News Agency two days after the incident said as many as seven people were killed and…

Summary

Published
26 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident