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

13 April 2017

Incident Code

CS690

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two men were killed when an alleged Coalition airstrike hit their motorcycle in Tabaqa, according to local sources. @Mohab_Naser reported that the incident occurred “on the main street south of the church roundabout". The combatant status of the victims was not made clear in any of the reports.

Summary

Published
13 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 April 2017

Incident Code

CI637

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources reported that Coalition airstrikes as well as raids carried out by Iraqi government forces led to the deaths of dozens of civilians, and left up to 181 people injured. The airstrikes hit several neighbourhoods in West Mosul on April 13th and 14th. Entably Mumen (Facebook page) reported that Abu Yusuf was among…

Summary

Published
13 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
22–37
Civilians reported injured
79–181
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 April 2017

Incident Code

CI634

Location

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later denied a social media claim that it had caused civilian casualties at Anah. According to its June report “April 12, 2017, near Annah, Iraq, via social media: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 April 2017

Incident Code

CS685

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians died and five were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ma’adan, according to local media. According to Micro Syria, “seven civilians were killed and wounded by a bombardment of warplanes likely belonging to the international coalition”. Al Araby, which also pointed towards the Coalition said that “two civilians were killed and five…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 April 2017

Incident Code

CS686

Location

هنيدة, Hunayda, Raqqa, Syria
According to Smart News Agency and Microsyriua four civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hunayda. There is no further information presently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 April 2017

Incident Code

CI633

Location

Mosul, Al Nouri mosque, Nineveh, Iraq
Akbar Elyam News, quoting Lt. Col. Ahmed Abdul-Aziz Al-Nu’mani of Iraqi forces, reported that violent Coalition airstrikes hit the old part of Mosul, particularly the neighbourhoods of the Grand Mosque, Farouk, Clock and the center of Mosul, in the evening into the night of April 12th. Sawlf Ateka (local Facebook group) reported moreover that five…

Summary

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