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

18 March 2017

Incident Code

CI556

Location

السرجخانة, Mosul, Aserjkhanh, Nineveh, Iraq

Summary

Published
18 March 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 March 2017

Incident Code

CS586

Location

عكيرشي, `Ukayrishah, Raqqa, Syria
The wife and child of an ISIL fighter reportedly died in a Coalition airstrike on al A’keirshi village. The militant – named as Abu Habibia Al-Maghribi – was either killed or injured in the attack. According to Arabs Today his wife was a member of Al-Khansa’a which is part of ISIL’s women’s police force. Their…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 March 2017

Incident Code

CI549

Location

Mosul, Medan, Nineveh, Iraq
According to local residents and the recently formed Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights, up to 80 civilians died when heavy airstrikes and shelling destroyed multiple houses in Meydan neighbourhood in Old Mosul. According to Iraqi Spring Media Centre, 20 houses were destroyed. It spoke of “dozens of bodies” under the rubble. Activists and aid workers…

Summary

Published
17 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
40–80
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2017

Incident Code

CS584

Location

مزرعة الصفصاف, Safsaf farms, Raqqa, Syria
According to reports one civilian male died and at least two others were injured following alleged Coalition strikes at Al Safsafa. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and SHRC were among some sources who didn’t identify the warplanes responsible – though other reports blamed the Coalition. In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 March 2017

Incident Code

CS585

Location

زور شمر, Zor Shmar, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians were reported killed and eight or more injured following reported Coalition strikes at Zor Shamr and Kasrat Sheikh Juma’a. According to the Smart news agency, which also pointed towards the Coalition, “sources explained that the planes bombed the villages of Zor Shamr (45 km east of Raqqa city) and Kasrat Sheikh Juma’a (8…

Summary

Published
17 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
8–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2017

Incident Code

CI550

Location

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Mosul al Jadida / New Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
In the highest confirmed civilian casualty event of the war against ISIL, at least 105 and as many as 141 non-combatants were later confirmed by the Coalition as having been killed in a US airstrike on a house in West Mosul’s al Jadida area. At least 137 bodies were reportedly recovered from the scene. Locals…

Summary

Published
17 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
105–141
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident