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

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CI563

Location

حي الفاروق, Mosul, New Bab/ Farouq, Nineveh, Iraq
A single source reported that 55 civilians were killed by “military operations” in New Bab and Farouq neighborhoods in the west of Mosul. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
55
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CI564

Location

نابلس, Mosul, Nablus, Yarmouk, Old City, Haraj Market, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents and press sources said that 49 civilians were killed and 100 injured in the clashes and shelling in the neighborhoods of Nablus, Yarmouk, the Old City and the Haraj market in the West of Mosul. Ninawa Media Center put the number at 38 for the neigbourhoods of Zangali, Rifai and Najjar. Al Arabi…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
49–50
Civilians reported injured
24–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CI565

Location

عنه, Ana Al Jadida, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local residents and press sources said that seven civilians were killed and seven injured after alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted Cairo neighbourhood in Ana, in the west of Anbar province. While Iraqi Spring blamed the Coalition, the other two sources also mentioned the Iraqi forces. Yaqein reported that “Seven civilians were killed and seven others were…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CS598

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Al Badiya school, Raqqa, Syria
In a major casualty incident at least 40 civilians died (and as many as 420 according to some claims) with dozens more injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the al Badiya school in Mansoura, which was said to have housed up to 100 displaced families. Coalition commander Lt General Townsend later denied that the…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
40–420
Civilians reported injured
50–56
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CS599

Location

السبخة, Sabka, Raqqa, Syria
Up to fourteen civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Sabka village, according to multiple local sources. The Shaam News Network was among sources reporting the injury of 10 civilians in a Coalition strike, while Syria News Desk put the number of wounded at 14.  

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported injured
10–14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

CI561

Location

النبي جرجيس, Mosul, Nabi Jarjis, Nineveh, Iraq
A family of eleven or seventeen members was reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Nabi Jarjis neighbourhood. While most sources did not specify who carried out the raids, Yaqein news said it was the Coalition. “The US-led coalition forces on Monday bombed houses on the western side of the city of Mosul, the…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–17
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident