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

1 April 2017

Incident Code

CS651

Location

البوعاصي, Al Bu A'ssi, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians died in alleged Coalition strikes on Al Bu A’ssi village, according to local strikes. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that the Coalition carried out strikes “on the outskirts of al Bu A’ssi village this morning and named one of the victims. The victim was also named by the Violations Documentation Center. RFS,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 April 2017

Incident Code

CS652

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the corn dryer area in Raqqa, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “Mohamad al Salem was martyred following international coalition raids this afternoon on the area of the corn dryer north of the city of Raqqa.” The Syrian Network for…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 April 2017

Incident Code

CS653

Location

فردوس, Fardous, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians including a woman and her child died and four others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Fardous, according to local media. The Smart News Agency reported that Coalition warplanes “targeted a residential building in al-Firdous neighborhood in the city of Raqqa, killing five civilians, including a woman and her child and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 April 2017

Incident Code

CS654

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, one civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Mansoura. Syria Mirror also reported a Coalition strike killing one civilian and injuring an unspecified number of others.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 April 2017

Incident Code

CS655

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, “a local source said that warplanes likely belonging to the Coalition targeted an oil transport vehicle belonging to the Islamic State organization in the village of Ratla (12 km south of Raqqa), which resulted in the burning of the driver and his assistant.” Alaraby also produced a similar report,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 April 2017

Incident Code

CI597

Location

several neighbourhoods in West Mosul, 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