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

2 April 2017

Incident Code

CI599

Location

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that three named civilians from the same family were killed after a Coalition airstrike targeted a sniper on the roof of their house in Yarmouk neighborhood, West Mosul. MNN and Urgent Mosul News said that Sheikh Mohammed Fathi al-Hussein al-Rashdi and his wife and his son’s wife were among the victims. According…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 April 2017

Incident Code

CI600

Location

حي الفاروق, Mosul, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that warplanes hit civilians while they were on their way to bury a non-combatant who was killed by an earlier airstrike on Al Farouk neighborhood in West Mosul. Yaqein quoted press sources saying that “the warplanes bombarded the neighborhood of Al-Faruq and Mkawi on the right side of Mosul, killing and wounding…

Summary

Published
2 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 April 2017

Incident Code

CS656

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One or two civilians died and up to five others others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. Smart News Agency reported that “likely” Coalition strikes killed two civilians and injured another five, in addition to killing one member of IS and wounding two more. Smart reported “a local…

Summary

Published
2 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 April 2017

Incident Code

CS657

Location

الصفصاف, Al Safsaf and Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria
Sources told the Smart News Agency that warplanes “likely” belonging to the Coalition “bombed the villages of Hunaidah and Al Safsaf Al Wasatani and Altahani west of the city of Raqqa, killing two civilians and injuring nine others”. But Melody-fm-syria blamed the Syria Democratic Forces, saying they used rocket-propelled grenades on Hunaida, killing four civilians…

Summary

Published
2 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
9–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 April 2017

Incident Code

CS658

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, Khelafa and Syriapc, five civilians including three children died and three others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Ratla village and Al Akeirshi village. The injured were reportedly treated at a nearby field hospital. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

Published
2 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 April 2017

Incident Code

CI598

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that up to 25 civilians were killed and between 23 and 26 injured in airstrikes and artillery shelling in various neighbourhoods in West Mosul. Fareek Al-Morasleen said on Facebook that US airstrikes and artillery had led to the casualties. The other source did not say who was responsible.

Summary

Published
1 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
14–25
Civilians reported injured
23–26
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident