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

25 March 2017

Incident Code

CS622

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition strike on Al Mayadin, according to local sources. Euphrates Post reported that “international Coalition raids targeted the refineries in the desert of the city [Al Mayadeen] injuring several civilians.” Alamawi also blamed the Coalition, while Omran_mo reported that Coalition jets destroyed a number of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 March 2017

Incident Code

CI577

Location

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq
A total of 21 civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on homes in the Al Tanak area of Mosul. On June 11th, Airwars’ Iraq researcher met with two survivors. Our field notes state: “Airwars researcher based in Baghdad met on June 11th 2017 two witnesses (XX and YY) saying two entire families were killed when…

Summary

Published
25 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
21
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 March 2017

Incident Code

CS623

Location

Hamrat, Raqqa, Syria
In July 2017 the Coalition reported that it had unintentionally injured one civilian in a strike previously unreported by Airwars: “March 25, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS vehicle carrying mortar rounds, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured by a secondary explosion.” Coalition officials told Airwars…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 March 2017

Incident Code

CI575

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifai and Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that twelve civilians were killed – six of them from one family – and twenty others were injured after two houses had been bombed in Rifai and Zinjili neighborhoods west of Mosul. A press source told Yaqein that “the army aircraft launched raids on the neighborhoods.” Other sources did not say who…

Summary

Published
24 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 March 2017

Incident Code

CS613

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians died and ten more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a mosque in Tabaqa, according to local media. Alfayha reported that “a Coalition warplane shelled near Fatima mosque in the Maghniya neighbourhood after Friday Prayers and killed five civilians and wounded 10 more. The death toll is likely to increase.” Smart…

Summary

Published
24 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 March 2017

Incident Codes

CS614 RS2011

Location

Ma'ari school, Bado neighbourhood, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
Up to six civilians including two children and two women died, and as many as five civilians were wounded, in an airstrike on the Bado neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local media, though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US led Coalition or Russian warplanes. Palmyra Media Center reported…

Summary

Published
24 March 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident