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

31 March 2017

Incident Code

CI596

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq
Two sources reported that dozens of civilians were killed and wounded due to airstrikes and artillery shelling in several neighborhoods in West Mosul. Al Jiser Channel referred to Al Amaq [ISIL press agency] and said 43 died and 35 were injured. Yaqein said dozens died in airstrikes on the neighbourhoods of 17 July, Zanjili and…

Summary

Published
31 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
43
Civilians reported injured
38
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 March 2017

Incident Code

CS650

Location

الرقة‎, governor's building and other locations, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, two civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa. Smart reported: “A local source told the Smart correspondent on Friday that 10 members of the Islamic State were killed and wounded, in addition to the wounding of two civilians by the bombing of warplanes likely to be…

Summary

Published
31 March 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 March 2017

Incident Code

CS645

Location

الصفصاف, Al Safsaf, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart News Network, “two civilians were killed and 15 others were injured by a similar shelling on the village of Safsaf and its farm, near the town of Al-Tabaqa (55 km west of the city of Raqqa)”.  

Summary

Published
30 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 March 2017

Incident Code

CS646

Location

مزرعة تشرين, Tishreen farm, Raqqa, Syria
Three or four civilians died in an alleged Coalition strike on Tishren farm, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, blaming the Coalition, put the death toll at three. However, Baladi, said that four civilians died, while Qasioun added that dozens more were injured.  

Summary

Published
30 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 March 2017

Incident Code

CS647

Location

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, the Smart News Agency, reported that five civilians including two women died and three others were left in a critical condition in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hazima. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 March 2017

Incident Code

CS648

Location

سلحبية, Salhabiya, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Salhabiya and Gharbiya, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported: “Coalition planes targeted trucks in the western village of Al Salhabiya, west of Raqqa, that were trying to open the road from Al Salhabiya to Al Raqqa after the flood of the…

Summary

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