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

CI607

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that twenty civilians were killed and six injured, among them many children, at Tal Afar west of Mosul. All claimed that the US or the Coalition was responsible, although Iraq Air Force aircraft had also struck the town. Iraqi Spring Media Center posted several graphic photos, picturing the aftermath of the strikes…

Summary

Published
4 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Codes

CS662a RS2068

Location

سلقين, Salqeen, Idlib, Syria
As many as 37 civilians were killed, and between 12 and 50 were wounded, following an airstrike on Salqeen - according to local sources. Up to 17 children and five women were allegedly killed in this raid on the residential neighbourhood. According to Euphrates Post, "four of them a family from eastern Deir Ezzor". The…

Summary

Published
4 April 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
7–37
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Code

CI608

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
It was reported that eleven people – including an unspecified number of civilians – were killed in Coalition airstrikes on Al Qa’im, in Anbar province. According to Yaqein “11 were killed including civilians in Al-Qaem due to coalition warplanes shellings.” It did not specify how many of the eleven victims were civilians. Local blogger Fareek…

Summary

Published
4 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–12
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

CI601

Location

محلة الحمام, Mosul, Mahalet al Hammam / Bab Laksh, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that three civilians, including one woman, were killed and two children injured in Al-Hammam neighbourhood close to the al Nouri Mosque in the center of Mosul. Sources are conflicted as to whether this was due to mortar or rocket shelling, Coalition airstrikes or unidentified “military aircraft”.

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

CI602

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Farouk and Makawi, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that up to 23 civilians were killed and 24 injured in airstrikes on Mashahade, Yarmouk, Farouk, and Tanak neighbourhoods in West Mosul and Old Mosul.

Summary

Published
3 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
23
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

CI603

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
In an event previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition denied social media claims of having caused civilian casualties at Tal Afar. According to the June report, “22. April 3, 2017, near Tal Afar, Iraq, via social media: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.”

Summary

Published
3 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident