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

5 April 2017

Incident Code

CI612

Location

معيوف, Mayouf, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that more than forty people were killed in unspecified airstrikes on the village of Mayouf, north west of Mosul. According to a report published by Al Arabi, “A local source said that an aerial bombardment targeted last night and blew up a number of houses in the village of Mayouf in the…

Summary

Published
5 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
34–40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 April 2017

Incident Code

CI613

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Zanjili, Makawi, Fateh, 17 July, Matahen, Nineveh, Iraq
Local media reported that 51 civilians were killed and 60 wounded due to airstrikes, artillery shelling and/or possible ISIL actions in Makawi, Fateh, 17 July, Matahen and Zanjili neighbourhoods. While all sources blamed airstrikes and artillery, Mosul 24 also said ISIL had played a part in the deaths, noting “the martyrdom of more than 15…

Summary

Published
5 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
51
Civilians reported injured
60
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 April 2017

Incident Code

CI614

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident related to CI613, a mass casualty incident across several neighbourhoods in Zanjili, the Coalition confirmed in June 2017 that a civilian had been killed at Zinjili. According to their monthly civilian casualty report, "During a strike on an ISIS firing position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when his…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 April 2017

Incident Code

CS663

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
The Smart News Agency reported the death of “an old man” and the injuring of five other civilians following an airstrike on Ratla. The source did not identify the culprit, noting that the injured were taken to a field hospital. No further details are currently known.  

Summary

Published
5 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 April 2017

Incident Code

CI609

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifai, Nineveh, Iraq
It was reported that the entire Al-Haj Nizar Al-Hallaq family – up to eight people – was killed after an airstrike hit their house near al-Nahda school in the Rifai neighbourhood of West Mosul. One of the victims was reported by Sawalef Maslaweya as Nizar Mahdi (Abu Muhammad), who used to be a barber. His…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Code

CS659

Location

Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria
Smart News Agency reported that “a local source in the village of Hunaidah in rural West Raqqa said four civilians were killed and 11 wounded following raids by the coalition. The injured people were taken to an IS run hospital in the western countryside, but the location was not specified.” Marobobuzer, also blaming the Coalition,…

Summary

Published
4 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–13
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident