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

15 March 2017

Incident Code

CI545

Location

Mosul, Hermat, Iraq
Local eyewitnesses reported the deaths of 25 civilians following an air or artillery strike on the hermit area of West Mosul. An unpublished Amnesty International field investigation was shared with Airwars: ““On the street we were staying, in my uncle’s house, three houses were levelled by one attack, around 12pm on 15 March. I don’t…

Summary

Published
15 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
25
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 March 2017

Incident Code

CS576

Location

جديدة خابور, Jadida Khabour, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians including two women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Jadida Khabour village in eastern Raqqa, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: “a man and a woman were killed and there was information about another woman who was killed in bombing by Coalition planes on areas in Jadida…

Summary

Published
15 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 March 2017

Incident Code

CS577

Location

الثورة‎, Al Thani and Al Awwal, Al Tabaqa, Syria, Raqqa, Syria
Between one and two civilians died and up to five were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Al Thani and Awwal neighbourhoods of Al Tabaqa, according to local sources. According to Smart News, “local sources reported the death of one civilian and wounding of others, on Wednesday evening, as a result of aerial…

Summary

Published
15 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2017

Incident Code

CS574

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians reportedly died and six were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Al Thani neighbourhood of Al Tabaqa. The Smart news network reported: “A local source in al Tabaqa city (55 km west of Raqqa), said that the raids affected the second district [Al Thani neighbourhood], killing two civilians and wounding six…

Summary

Published
14 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2017

Incident Code

CS575

Location

Various locations, Raqqa, Syria
Seven non-combatants including three children died and five others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on various locations in Raqqa governorate, according to a single source. The Smart news network reported that “seven civilians were killed including of three children, and five others were injured, including women, following raids on the town of Al…

Summary

Published
14 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2017

Incident Code

CI540

Location

دور موظفي السكك, Mosul, Dur al Sekak, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents and press source said that five family members were killed in an airstrike targeting their house near the railway. They used to live together in the same house in Dur Al Sekak at the right side of Mosul. It is unclear which aircraft carried out the attack. Shafaaq News reported that the bombing…

Summary

Published
14 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident