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

19 April 2017

Incident Code

CS710

Location

حي الثاني, Second Neighbourhood, Al Tabaqa, Raqqa, Syria
In a second reported incidcent in the city for the day, up to four civilians including a doctor and three patients died and between two and five more were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tabaqa, local media reported. According to Syria Mirror, there were several Coalition raids on Tabaqa, “one of which was on…

Summary

Published
19 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 April 2017

Incident Code

CS707

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians were allegedly killed and three injured following reported Coalition airstrikes on Ma’adan. According to Madar News, “likely coalition raids on the town of Ma'adan east of the city of Raqqa killed five people and injured three.” Other sources repeated the same formula.

Summary

Published
18 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 April 2017

Incident Code

CS708

Location

الثورة‎, Al Tabaqa, Raqqa, Syria
In a second reported incident for the day, a single source, Smart News Agency, reported “warplanes targeted the Mohammed Al-Faris school in Al Tabaqa, killing two prisoners, one prisoner from SDF and the other a civilian, and wounding five others.” Smart said it was unable to identify the victims. A local source reported prisoners were…

Summary

Published
18 April 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 April 2017

Incident Code

CI648

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that heavy airstrikes hit several neighbourhoods in Old Mosul on Tuesday, leading to ‘dozens of civilians killed and injured.’ One report suggested helicopters may have participated, though presently no further details are known. The Coalition later admitted it had killed one civilian in the area that day – see CI649.

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 April 2017

Incident Code

CI649

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in a strike in the Old Mosul area. Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 April 2017

Incident Code

CI650

Location

المستشفى الجمهوري, Mosul, Republican hospital, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that ‘US airstrikes’ hit the entrance of the emergency department of the Republican Hospital at the Medical Complex of West Mosul killing seven people. Some sources referred to a statement made by the ISIL press agency. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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