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

13 March 2017

Incident Code

CS573

Location

زور شمر, Zor Shmar, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Zor Shamr village, east of Raqqa, according to a single source. Smart news agency reported that the strike was “likely” carried out by the Coalition. They reported that “the bombing targeted a fuel tanker while it was crossing the village of Zor Shamr (45 km…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 March 2017

Incident Code

CI536

Location

المحطة, Mosul, Al Mahatta, Nineveh, Iraq
Local press sources and relatives of victims reported that 21 or more people, including an elderly woman with her two sons and a displaced family, were hit by a rocket. All victims were still under the rubble in Al-Mahatta neighborhood in West Mosul. The Coalition later accepted responsibility for 11 deaths in the attack. Mosul…

Summary

Published
13 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
21
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2017

Incident Code

CI537

Location

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Mosul al-Jadid / New Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Relatives, local residents and press sources said up to 29 people from two families were killed after Coalition airstrikes struck their houses in the New Mosul neighborhood of West Mosul. The Coalition later conceded causing 27 deaths in the event. According to Al Jazeera Iraq, 29 civilians, mostly children and women, were killed and many…

Summary

Published
13 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
27–29
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 March 2017

Incident Code

CS570

Location

الكرامة, Al Karama and Al Ghassaniyah, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians died and eleven were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Karama and Al Ghassaniya, according to a single source. According to the Smart news agency, five civilians died and 11 others were wounded when warplanes “thought to belong to the Coalition” targeted Al Karama and Al Ghassaniya.  

Summary

Published
12 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 March 2017

Incident Code

CS571

Location

كسرة الفرج, Kasrat Faraj, Raqqa, Syria
An ISIL leader and his family died in an alleged Coalition strike in Kasrat Al Faraj, according to local sources. According to the Smart news agency, “local and medical sources told Smart that an Islamic State commander and his family were killed in an aerial bombardment likely carried out by the international coalition on the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 March 2017

Incident Code

CS572

Location

الأحوس, Al Ahwas, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian doctor died and several others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Ahwas village, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “Abdallah A’fadli was killed following coalition raids on al Ahwas village”. VDC also named him as a victim. Fourat al Wafa also blamed the Coalition and…

Summary

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