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

17 March 2017

Incident Code

CI551

Location

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Mosul al Jadida / New Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
The Coalition admitted responsibility for the deaths of  between 105 and 141 civilians in an airstrike on a house in West Mosul’s al Jadida area on March 17th (event CI550). However, locals have claimed that as many as 230 or even 520 civilians were killed in the catastrophic event at al Jadida – though these…

Summary

Published
17 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
125–370
Civilians reported injured
25
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2017

Incident Code

CI552

Location

Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm claims “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “March 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

CI546

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, West Mosul, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that at least 21 civilians were killed and 17 were injured, including women and children, because of airstrikes and artillery shelling in neighbourhoods of West Mosul. Iraq News Center placed the death toll even higher: “Many surviving civilians [and] witnesses from the right side [of Mosul] confirmed that Coalition airstrikes targeted civilian…

Summary

Published
16 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
21–34
Civilians reported injured
17–34
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

CS582

Location

جديدة كحيط, Jadida Kahit, Raqqa, Syria
Al Ragga Truth reported the death of four civilians in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Jadida Kahit. No further details are currently available  

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

CS583

Location

Jadida Baladiya, Raqqa, Syria
Al Ragga truth reported the death of one unidentified male civilian in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Jadida Baladiya. No further details are currently available  

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

CI547

Location

Mosul, Al Jadida, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “110. May 16, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was…

Summary

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