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

4 April 2017

Incident Code

CS660

Location

رابعة, Rabi'a, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, “a man and a woman were killed and three others were wounded” in an alleged Coalition airstrike on village of Rabi’a. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
4 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Code

CS661

Location

سلحبية, Salhabiya, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, two civilian fishermen were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a ferry between the two banks of the Euphrates River in the western village of Al-Sahlabiya. Local sources told Smart that the victims were killed as they were transporting cars between the two banks. Step News Agency also…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Code

CS662

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
The Smart News Agency reported the death of three civilians in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mansoura. The Violations Documentation Center named a civilian victim of a Coalition airstrike in Mansoura, Raqqa, from and reported he is from the Damascus countryside.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Code

CI604

Location

الموصل: الثورة, Mosul, Thawra, Nineveh, Iraq
A single local sources reported that the wife of professor Hussein Qassem Al-Fakhri was killed in an airstrike on Al Thawra neighborhood in West Mosul. No additional details are presently known. While the Coalition would later confirm two civilian casualty events in Mosul that day, the nearest was 2.5km from Al Thawra.

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Code

CI605

Location

الاقتصاديين, Mosul, Iqtishadeen, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Mosul. Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS mortar team egressing their firing position, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed by a secondary explosion caused…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Code

CI606

Location

حاوي الكنيسة, Mosul, Hawi al Kanassa, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Mosul. Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on ISIS fighters in a moving vehicle, it was assessed that one civilian pedestrian was unintentionally killed when the vehicle was struck.” The…

Summary

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