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

6 April 2017

Incident Code

CS664

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Up to nine civilians died in an airstrike on Raqqa, local media said. According to the Smart News Agency, eight civilians died and 11 were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. A local source told Smart that “the raids targeted the building of the Central Bank near the Bulman garage, south of the…

Summary

Published
6 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Civilians reported injured
10–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 April 2017

Incident Code

CI615

Location

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that a mother and her two children were killed in an airstrike on her house in Zanjili neighbourhood, in West Mosul. Mosul Eye blamed the Coalition for the strike. Other sources did not report who was responsible. See News (Facebook) put the death toll at 13, possibly also referring to other incidents…

Summary

Published
6 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–18
Civilians reported injured
0–60
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 April 2017

Incident Code

CS665

Location

حويجة السواقي, Howeija Al Sawaki, Raqqa, Syria
According to local sources, five civilians including a woman and a child died when the boat they were in near the town of Howeija al-Suwaki was struck. A report by Glasswire cited Raqqa24 and RaqqaSL which blamed the Coalition. However, it also reported that “a spokesperson for the US-led coalition told Grasswire that it ‘does…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS666

Location

near al Hassakah, Syria

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 April 2017

Incident Code

CI610

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Shafa, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that 16 civilians were killed and many were injured in Coalition and Iraqi government airstrikes on Al-Shafaa neighbourhood in West Mosul. In September 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for this incident. Its monthly civilian casualty report noted: "Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh mortar position. Regrettably, 16 civilians were unintentionally…

Summary

Published
5 April 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
16–25
Civilians reported injured
3–25
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 April 2017

Incident Code

CI611

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
The Mayor of Rutba city, Imad al-Dulaimi, told local media that eight people, including four children from the same family, were killed in airstrikes on the Seven Km neighbourhood in the western part of Rutba city in Anbar province. According to Yaqein “Dulaimi said in a press statement that ‘a military aircraft bombed civilian houses…

Summary

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