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

24 April 2017

Incident Code

CS724

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, likely Coalition “air raids raged in the southern neighborhoods of the city and were concentrated at Al Rahma Mosque and Al Ajili Pharmacy, as well as Al Mughniyeh neighborhood and the Old Garage, killing four civilians and injuring seven others, according to another local source.” Syrian Mirror also put…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 April 2017

Incident Code

CI664

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq
According to local sources, 22 civilians died and 48 were injured in air raids on several neighbourhoods in West Mosul. While Al Jazeera (referring to an ISIL source) and a tweet by @aisha_iq95 said the Coalition was responsible, other sources spoke both of Coalition and Iraqi forces aircraft carrying out the airstrikes.

Summary

Published
24 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
22
Civilians reported injured
48
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 April 2017

Incident Code

CS725

Location

الرحيات, Al Rahiat, Raqqa, Syria
One woman died and several other civilians were wounded in an incident in Al Rahiyat, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, the Syrian Democratic Forces or ISIL were responsible. Shaam News Network was the only source that named the Coalition as the culprit. Step News Agency instead blamed artillery…

Summary

Published
24 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 April 2017

Incident Code

CS726

Location

مزرعة ميسلون, Maysaloun Farms, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians including one child died and two others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Maysalon, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 April 2017

Incident Code

CS727

Location

سوق الهال, Tabaqah, Vegetable market in south of city, Raqqa, Syria
Six civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the vegetable market in the south of Tabaqa, according to local media. The journalist Mohab Nasser and Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named the victims. JisirTv also blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at six.

Summary

Published
24 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 April 2017

Incident Code

CS720

Location

الحي الثاني, Tabaqa, Second Neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Between three and eight civilians died including up to five children in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tabaqa’s Al Thani neighbourhood, according to local media. Smart News reported that a likely Coalition airstrike “targeted a house near the public park in the Second neighbourhood, killing a man, his wife and child. They also carried out raids…

Summary

Published
23 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident