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

16 March 2017

Incident Code

CI548

Location

Mosul, 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, “76. March 16, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: The report contained insufficient information on the time,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

CS578

Location

الجينة, Al Jina, Aleppo, Syria
A unilateral US drone strike on a mosque complex near al Jina town killed between 37 and 62 civilians according to multiple reports and eyewitness statements. While the US has admitted it carried out the attack, officials have claimed that al Jina’s Omar Ibn al Khattab mosque where the casualties occurred was not targeted in…

Summary

Published
16 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
37–62
Civilians reported injured
100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

CS579

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
The Smart news agency reported that likely Coalition airstrikes targeted the oil refinery area of Al Mansoura, “killing one worker and injuring others, in addition to destroying three burners and a car used to transport oil.” Madar News used identical language in its own report. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

CS580

Location

حي الثكنة, Al Thakana, Raqqa, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported: “A local source said that warplanes likely belonging to the coalition launched a raid on the Al Thakana neighborhood in Raqqa, near the Shariah Court, killing four civilians and two members of IS and wounding eight others, including one member of IS. The wounded were taken to the National Raqqa…

Summary

Published
16 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
6–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

CS581

Location

سد الفرات, Euphrates Dam, Raqqa, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike at the Euphrates Dam near al Tabaqa reportedly killed one named civilian worker. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, “an air raid launched by the international coalition yesterday on the area around the Euphrates Dam in al Tabaqa killing Hamidi al Abd al Majid al Nayef one of the employees at…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 March 2017

Incident Code

CI544

Location

باب الطوب, Mosul, Bab al Tor, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents and military and medical sources said that up to two dozen civilians were killed or injured due to different kinds of shelling, and strikes by US Apache helicopters. This reportedly occurred during an ongoing battle around the Bab Al Tob area and other ancient neighborhoods in the center of Mosul. Naynawa Alghad reported…

Summary

Published
15 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–24
Civilians reported injured
6–50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident