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

10 April 2017

Incident Code

CI626

Location

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported a major incident in Yarmouk neighbourhood, West Mosul, where airstrikes allegedly killed more than thirty civilians. The local Facebook group Sawlf Ateka named the victims as: “Imad Abdul Ghani Al-Rashdi and his mother, his wife, four daughters, the daughter of his brother Iyad and five other families after they fled to their…

Summary

Published
10 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
28–30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 April 2017

Incident Code

CI624

Location

دور موظفي السكك, Mosul, Sekak, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that three named civilians were killed including a child, after an airstrike struck their house in Sekak neighborhood in West Mosul. The Coalition later accepted responsibility for the event, publishing an assessment in December 2018 that stated: "On Apr. 10, 2017, near Sekak (Mosul), Iraq, via Airwars report. The Coalition aircraft engaged…

Summary

Published
10 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 April 2017

Incident Code

CI625

Location

Mosul, Sekak, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on November 30th 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, “April 10, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via Human Rights Watch organization: After a review of available information and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 April 2017

Incident Code

CI621

Location

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Two local sources said that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and injured due to airstrikes and missile attacks on Zanjili neighborhood in West Mosul. According to Yerdili, the bombardment preceded an assault on the nighbourhood. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 April 2017

Incident Code

CI622

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Rifai and 17 July, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that heavy airstrikes and artillery shelling hit Rifai and 17 July neighbourhoods in West Mosul, killing and injuring an unspecified number of civilians. Iraqi Spring Media Center and Urgent Mosul News blamed the Iraqi government, though none of the other sources said who was responsible. Sawlf Ateka (local Facebook page) reported that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 April 2017

Incident Code

CI623

Location

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq
A single source – the local Facebook group of the Jarjria tribe – said that a son of the family of Muhammad Daham Murad al-Jarjari from the village of Jasa was killed in an airstrike on Yarmouk neighbourhood in West Mosul. It was unclear from the report who carried out the strike. In its June…

Summary

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