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

12 April 2017

Incident Code

CS687

Location

الهزيمة, Al Hazima, Raqqa, Syria
Two families died in an incident at Al Hazimah, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether they died in Coalition airstrikes or artillery strikes by other forces. SY reporter said that a family and a doctor were killed and blamed the Coalition. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a doctor…

Summary

Published
12 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2017

Incident Code

CI627

Location

عنه, Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources reported that six civilians were killed and several others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Anah, in the west of Anbar province. In a suggestion that the deaths were caused by the Iraq Air Force, Saad Awad – the mayor of Anah district – reportedly called on the government’s air force…

Summary

Published
11 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2017

Incident Code

CI628

Location

سحاب, Mosul, al-Saha and al-Sham gate, Nineveh, Iraq
A single local source reported that over thirty civilians, including women and children, were killed in Coalition airstrikes on al-Saha and al-Sham neighbourhoods in West Mosul. Other sources reported that in total 73 civilians were killed and 200 wounded after three days of bombing by the international Coalition and Iraqi forces.

Summary

Published
11 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2017

Incident Code

CI629

Location

الرسالة, Mosul, Resala, Nineveh, Iraq
A single source reported that two people were killed and nine others were injured due to unidentified shelling on Al-Resala neighborhood in West Mosul. Presently no further details are known.

Summary

Published
11 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2017

Incident Code

CS683

Location

هنيدة, Hunayda, Raqqa, Syria
One man was killed when an alleged Coalition strike hit the motorcycle he was on in Hunayda, according to multiple local sources. However, it is unclear whether the victim was a civilian or militant. Raqqa Post reported that an unmanned drone targeted the victim, while Mohab Nasser, a media activist from Tabaqa, said reported he…

Summary

Published
11 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2017

Incident Code

CS684

Location

مفرق مدينة الطبقة, Tabaqah Junction, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tabaqa Junction, according to local sources. @Mohab_Naser and other sources reported that he was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a Coalition warplane. But according to Al Raqqa Truth and @Q_Alenezy, a Coalition raid hit the car he was in while he was driving another…

Summary

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