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

24 March 2017

Incident Code

CI576

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that eleven civilians were killed and 14 others were injured due to airstrikes and artillery shelling in several neighborhoods in the west of Mosul. While Sputnik News blamed the Coalition, other sources did not say who carried out the strikes.

Summary

Published
24 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 March 2017

Incident Code

CS611

Location

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Buwaitiya, Raqqa, Syria
One woman and her child died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hamra Boueitiya village in the eastern Raqqa countryside, according to local sources. According to Arabs Today, “a woman and her child were killed and a civilian was wounded on Thursday after an aerial bombardment by the international coalition on villages in the eastern…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 March 2017

Incident Code

CI574

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq
Local medical sources reportedly claimed that three employees at a Mosul hospital in Shifa neighbourhood were killed when a missile hit the hospital. Shafaaq reported that “A medical source told Ashqaf News that a mortar landed near the first aid hall in the hospital, killing three medical personnel and damaging the hospital.” Another local blog…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 March 2017

Incident Code

CS612

Location

السبخة, Sabka, Raqqa, Syria
Between three and ten civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike at noon on Sabkha, according to local media. Baladi blamed the Coalition and put the death toll at three. According to Alrafed, more than ten non-combatants died, though the source didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Alaraby, RFS, Shaam News Network and the Syrian Observatory…

Summary

Published
23 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–10
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

CS606

Location

حي الرميلة, Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians died and dozens more were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the Rumaila neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local sources. Syrian News Desk reported that “four civilians were killed and 11 others wounded including children, by the Coalition targeting Maysaloun school and nearby houses in Rumaila district east of al-Raqqa with four raids.…

Summary

Published
22 March 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
11–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

CS607

Location

فخيخة, Fakhikha, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians died and four were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Fakhikha village, according to two local sources. Almanar News (a pro-regime Hezbullah channel) reported the death of two civilians and the wounding of four more by the Coalition. Smart News reported: “A local source told our correspondent that warplanes likely belonging to…

Summary

Published
22 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident