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

7 April 2017

Incident Code

CI617

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Farouk, Zinjili, Islah Zerae, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources, in what was possibly based on an Al Amaq [ISIL press agency] statement, reported that 22 civilians were killed and 42 injured in Coalition and Iraqi government airstrikes on Farouk, Zinjili and Isilah Zeraei (Agricultural Reforrm) neighbourhoods in West Mosul.

Summary

Published
7 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
22
Civilians reported injured
42
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

CS667

Location

رابعة, Rabi'a, Raqqa, Syria
Smart reported that a “likely” Coalition raid on Rabia mosque killed “the servant of the mosque [the imam] and his seven-year-old son,” saying that ISIL cancelled Friday prayers in the village following the deaths. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

CS668

Location

حمرة غانم, Hamra Ghanem, Raqqa, Syria
Between five and seven civilians – five from the same family including one or two women and three children – died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hamra Ghanem, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of five civilians in a Coalition strike on “the house of Bashir Yusuf Sultan…

Summary

Published
7 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
4–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

CS669

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
Smart News Agency reported the death of three civilians inlcuding two children and the injury of four more in an alleged Coalition strike on Rata. Other sources put the death toll at four including two children, though they did not identify who was responsible for the “raids”.  

Summary

Published
7 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

CS670

Location

هنيدة, Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 21 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on an internet cafe in Huneida, according to multiple local media. All sources pointed towards the Coalition. Death counts varied but were in the range of 12-15 or more, with Almadenah putting the figure as high as 17. @infoctma said…

Summary

Published
7 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
18–21
Civilians reported injured
11–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

CS671

Location

الشعيرات, Shoa'yrat, Homs, Syria
Up to nine civilians were alleged to have died and 14 others injured in a unuilateral US cruise missile strike on Shoa’yrat airfield, according to local sources – though the combatant status of some or all victims is uncertain. The state news agency Sana reported: “Nine civilians, including four children, were killed by a number…

Summary

Published
7 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–9
Civilians reported injured
0–14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident