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

22 March 2017

Incident Code

CS608

Location

رطلة, Ratlah, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians died and ten were reported injured in a claimed Coalition aerial attack on Ratla village, according to a single source. Smart News reported that “A local source told Smart the bombing targeted the village of Ratla, killing four civilians and wounding ten others, without details of the cases of the wounded and the…

Summary

Published
22 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

CS609

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
In a major casualty incident, between 44 and 56 named civilians reportedly died and up to 55 others were wounded in a Coalition airstrike on an automated bakery in the Al Thani neighbourhood of Tabaqa, according to local sources. The US-led alliance later conceded seven deaths in the event. Their September 2018 civilian casualty report…

Summary

Published
22 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
44–56
Civilians reported injured
30–55
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

CS610

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians died and five were injured in an Coalition alleged airstrike on the Al Awwal neighbourhood of Tabaqa, according to local sources. Raqqa_SL reported destruction of civilians’ homes as a result of Coalition strikes on the First neighbourhood. According to Step news agency, the Coalition struck a residential building, though the source said there…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

CI570

Location

حاوي الكنيسة, Mosul, Hawi al Kanassa, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources told Ninawa Media Center that civilians were killed and injured by indiscriminate shelling in the area of Hawi church (Hawi Al Kanissa), in the west of Mosul.

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

CI571

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Isilah al Zeraei, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources claimed that dozens of civilians were killed or injured by indiscriminate artillery shelling on Islah Al Zeraei (Agricultural Reform) neighbourhood.

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

CI572

Location

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq
Two named eyewitnesses told The Guardian that fifteen of their family members were buried under the rubble and died in front of them and that dozens were injured. This happened after several airstrikes reportedly struck three houses and other places in the Yarmouk neighborhood, in the west of Mosul. Ali Assad (32) told the British…

Summary

Published
22 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident