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

CI573

Location

رجم الحديد, Mosul, Rajl al Hamid, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources and the UN reported that up to hundred civilians were killed or injured after airstrikes targeted residential houses in Rajm Hadid neighborhood, on March 22 in West Mosul. According to the UNHCR an airstrike [not specified] hit a residential building in the neighbourhood. It said: “ISIL reportedly filled the house with people from…

Summary

Published
22 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–100
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

CI566

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
A single source reported that seven civilians were killed and ten injured by a Coalition drone allegedly targeting a market in 17 July neighborhood, in West Mosul. The Coalition later conceded responsibility for the attack, noting: “March 21, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters, it was assessed that one…

Summary

Published
21 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
3–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

CI567

Location

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Mosul al-Jadid / New Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that six civilians from the same family were killed in an assault on the New Mosul district in the western half of the city. Sayed Al Bajari reported on Facebook: “Six civilians of a single family were killed in Mosul, west of Mosul, after being bombed 40 minutes ago”

Summary

Published
21 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

CI568

Location

Mosul, Zerai, Nineveh, Iraq
The Coalition announced on June 2nd 2017 that it had killed a civilian in the al Zerai area of West Mosul. A senior government official unofficially informed Airwars that the strike was Belgian. According to the civilian casualty report, “March 21, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS mortar position…

Summary

Published
21 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

CS600

Location

حي الأكراد, Al Akrad, Raqqa, Syria
One to two civilian members of an Islamic State family were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Al Akrad neighbourhood of Raqqa city, local media reported. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “A local source in the city of Al-Raqqa said raids likely carried out by the Coalition targeted the Al…

Summary

Published
21 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
0–6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

CS601

Location

الجديدة, Al Jadida, Raqqa, Syria
Al Raqqa Truth reported the death of four civilians in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Jadida. It named the victims. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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