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

21 March 2017

Incident Code

CS602

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, al Nabablah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians in an even near Tabqah, Syira. Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS fighting position, it was assessed that two civilians in an adjacent building were unintentionally injured when the target was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

CS603

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Between 10 and 20 civilians were reported killed and dozens more injured in Coalition airstrikes on multiple locations in Tabaqa, according to local sources. Some reports confused this incident with a reported nearby mass casualty event at al Mansour. The Coalition later said it had killed ten civilians in the town that day. According to…

Summary

Published
21 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–20
Civilians reported injured
2–36
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

CS604

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another in an event near Al-Thawarah, Tabqah. Their January 2018 civilian casualty report noted "During a Coalition strike that destroyed an ISIS weapons facility and headquarters reportedly under ISIS control for almost two years,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

CI569

Location

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Laksh, behind Watan school, Nineveh, Iraq
A local source said that twenty civilians, including women and children, were killed by airstrikes and/ or indiscriminate shelling on the area behind Watan school in Bab Laksh neighbourhood in West of Mosul, on the evening of March 21st-22nd. A family member later posted: “My wife moved to God (passed away) – the daughter of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

CS605

Location

Al Jadida, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Jadida village, according to local sources. According to Halab Today, “The school of Al-Jadida village in the southern countryside of Aleppo was destroyed due to warplane shelling”. The source didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently – which blamed the Coalition –…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CI562

Location

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Al-Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents and press sources said that 43 civilians were killed in airstrikes and missile shelling by the International Coalition and Iraqi forces in Zanjili neighbourhood, in the west of Mosul. Mosul Eye reported: “Mosul witnessed 20/3/2017 wave of casualties in a large number, and the initial outcome that we were able to collect was…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
43
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident