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

29 March 2017

Incident Code

CI587

Location

دكة بركة, Mosul, Dakat Baraka, Nineveh, Iraq
City reports including MNN said that Mohamed Ismail Younis, a local swimming coach, was killed by mortar fire along with two more civilians. Shafaaq said that the mortar hit his home in the Dakat Baraka neighbourhood. The sources did not say who carried out the shelling, though said that Mr Younis and two others died.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 March 2017

Incident Code

CS636

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
Eight civilians from one family – displaced from Maskanah – died when an alleged Coalition airstrike hit their car in Mansoura, according to local sources. According to Jisr TV, six civilians from the same family died. Syria News Desk also reported: “The opposition media activist Mohammed Othman from al-Raqqa countryside told the Syria News Agency…

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 March 2017

Incident Code

CI584

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that four family houses were destroyed on top of their residents when airstrikes targeted an ‘ISIL headquarters’ in Hawi Al Kaneesa (Church) at west of Mosul. Ninawa said that the houses fell on the heads of the four families living there. Nawar Nathim Ali said on Facebook there was news about civilian…

Summary

Published
28 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–16
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 March 2017

Incident Code

CI585

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifai, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that 19 civilians were killed and 22 injured when airstrikes hit the neighborhood of the Agrarian Reform (Islah Al Zeraei) and the neighborhood of Rifai, in West Mosul. It is unclear who carried out the raids. Yaqein spoke of both “military operations by the combined forces”, “military aircraft and the International Alliance.”…

Summary

Published
28 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
19–53
Civilians reported injured
22–56
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 March 2017

Incident Code

CI586

Location

Mosul, Matahin, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Mosul, Iraq. The June 2017 civilian casualty report noted, “March 28, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike to crater roads used by ISIS VBIEDs against Iraqi Security Forces, it was assessed that one civilian was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 March 2017

Incident Code

CS631

Location

مضر, Mudar, Raqqa, Syria
Almanar, Syrialive54 and Sy_reporter claimed that Coalition jets killed eight civilians and wounded “many more” in an airstrike on Mudar. Other sources also put the death toll at eight, but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.  

Summary

Published
28 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident