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

18 April 2017

Incident Code

CI651

Location

near Mosul, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” by Human Rights Watch. According to the Coalition report, “83. April 18, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: After a review of available information it was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 April 2017

Incident Code

CS705

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 36 civilians including 14 children died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Abu Kamal, near the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or the Iraqi air force were liable. The Coalition later took responsibility…

Summary

Published
18 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
25–36
Civilians reported injured
40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 April 2017

Incident Code

CS706

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were initially reported killed and four injured in alleged Coalition strikes at al Tabqah. According to Madar News “A local source said that likely Coalition warplanes launched raids on Al Mangih district, Dawar al-Ajrawi and the cloth market in the town of Al-Talba, killing two civilians and injuring four others.” The Syrian Mirror carried an…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 April 2017

Incident Code

CI645

Location

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that Coalition and Iraqi government warplanes carried out airstrikes on Zanjili and other neighbourhoods in West Mosul, killing and wounding dozens. Iraqyoon and Yaqein spoke of more than 100 dead and wounded in the various western neighbourhoods of the city. Several other sources reported (possibly based on an ISIL press statement): “55…

Summary

Published
17 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
24–55
Civilians reported injured
24–50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 April 2017

Incident Code

CI646

Location

الموصل: الثورة, Mosul, Al-Thawra (Revolution), Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported violent airstrikes on Al-Thawra (Revolution) neighbourhood in the old town area of Mosul city, on Monday 17th of April. Two victims (see photos below) were named as “Engineer Zaid Hisham Daoud, one of the employees of the Ministry of Industry” who died when a missile hit his home, and Mahmoud Mohamed Mashhadani…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 April 2017

Incident Code

CI647

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 on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “82. April 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location…

Summary

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