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

8 April 2017

Incident Code

CI619

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources, possibly referring to a statement originating with Al Amaq [ISIL’s media wing], said that that 13 civilians were killed and 91 were injured – mostly children and women – in shelling and bombing by the Coalition and Iraqi forces on several neighborhoods in West Mosul.  

Summary

Published
8 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
91
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 April 2017

Incident Code

CI620

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of three civilians near Tal Afar, Iraq. Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS VBIED factory, it was assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 April 2017

Incident Code

CS673

Location

شعيب الذكر, Sho'aib Al Zakir, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 40 civilians including a woman and her six children died after their boat sank while it was crossing the Euphrates River near Sho’aib Al-Zikir. While most local sources blamed the UIS-led Coalition, one news organisation said the boat had instead capsized because there were too many people onboard. The Smart News Network reported:…

Summary

Published
8 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 April 2017

Incident Code

CS674

Location

عكيرشي, `Ukayrishah, Raqqa, Syria
A local source told the Smart News Network that a likely Coalition airstrike had killed a father and his daughter and wounded four other civilians when their homes were hit in Okayrashi. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

CS672

Location

الكالطة, Qaltah, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that one civilian was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Al Kalta. Revolutionary Forces of Syria said he died when his home was struck. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

CI616

Location

سحاب, Mosul, Saha, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that one civilian was killed and eight others were injured in airstrikes on Al Saha neighborhood in West Mosul. Shafaaq spoke of a ‘mistaken airstrike’ by ‘unidentified warplanes’. It also caused the destruction of three houses. Moreover, Urgent Mosul News and Yaqein reported mortar shelling by Iraqi forces on the neighbourhood the…

Summary

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