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

15 April 2017

Incident Code

CI641

Location

باب سنجار, Mosul, Bab-Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents told the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights that 42 members of the well-known family of Ghanim Sobhiya died after an airstrike hit their 16-room house in Bab-Sinjar neighbourhood in the old part of Mosul, at dawn on April 15th. Sources reported that the family of Ghanim’s brother had also gathered in the house.…

Summary

Published
15 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
42
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 April 2017

Incident Code

CI642

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Isilah Zeraei / Agragarian Reform, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that at least eight civilians died after two missiles consecutively hit a two-floor house in Isilah Zeraei neighbourhood in West Mosul. Sources reported a similar incident hours earlier in the same neighbourhood, with casualty numbers so far unknown. Alsharqiya news noted that the two missiles were launched after an ISIL combatant sat…

Summary

Published
15 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–15
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 April 2017

Incident Code

CI643

Location

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq
One civilian was injured following an airstrike that destroyed his family home, according to the eyewitness. Amnesty International shared the following field report with Airwars, citing an eyewitness: “I’m a simple ‘free worker’ from the same area in Hai Tenak. My friends and I make a living buying and selling car parts. I left on…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 April 2017

Incident Code

CS694

Location

مزرعة يعرب, Mazra'at Yarub, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians from the same family died and two others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike which hit homes in the village of Mazra’at Yarub, according to local sources which all blamed the Coalition. According to Smart News, “Five civilians from one family were killed in most likely coalition air strike on a village…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 April 2017

Incident Code

CS691

Location

هنيدة, Hunayda, Raqqa, Syria
Local media reported that two civilians died and a third was wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hunayda. According to @Newsjorf, the Coalition carried out raids on the grain silos area of Hunaida. Rasd-Sy also mentioned ‘mutual artillery exchanges’ between ISIL and SADF ground forces – though it was unclear whether this specifically refered…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 April 2017

Incident Code

CS692

Location

مشيرفة, Mushirfa, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians died and eight more were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Mushirfa, according to local media. All sources blamed the Coalition.

Summary

Published
14 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident