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

22 April 2017

Incident Code

CS715

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
The Smart News Agency reported that a likely Coalition strike “targeted an ambulance while it was heading to the National Hospital in Al Tabaqa, resulting in the death of the patient who was being transported, two nurses and the driver.” According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least five civilians died in what…

Summary

Published
22 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 April 2017

Incident Code

CS716

Location

مدرسة البحتري, Tabaqah, al Bahrari school, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, one civilian died and four others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahtari school. One other source, the Free Syria Army, also attributed the incident to the Coalition. It noted that “A civilian was also killed and four others were wounded after an aerial bombardment of…

Summary

Published
22 April 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 April 2017

Incident Code

CS717

Location

البارودة, Al Barouda, Raqqa, Syria
Six civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the vicinity of a camp for internally displaced Syrians. Smart News reported: “A local source told the Smart correspondent that aircraft likely to be the international coalition shelled a camp for displaced people near the village of Al-Barda (20 km west of Raqqa), killing…

Summary

Published
22 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 April 2017

Incident Code

CS718

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
Four internally displaced people were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike at al Mansoura. The Smart News Agency reported that “warplanes likely belonging to the international Coalition launched raids on Mansoura town (27 km west of the city of Raqqa), targeting the Al In’aash building [previously a government medical centre, currently housing displaced persons],…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 April 2017

Incident Code

CS719

Location

الرصافة, Al Rasafa, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, two workers at the Al Halabi petrol station in the al Mansoura road died in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Rasafa. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 April 2017

Incident Code

CI658

Location

17 تموز, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that 59 civilians, including women and children, were killed and dozens were injured after Coalition airstrikes and shelling on 17 July neighbourhood, as well as on Old Mosul and a health centre in Oreibi neighbourhood, all in West Mosul. It was said that more than seven houses were destroyed “over the heads…

Summary

Published
22 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
59
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident