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

11 March 2017

Incident Code

CS566

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died and three were injured in an alleged Coalition air strike on Al Mansoura town, according to a single source. Smart News said that warplanes “likely” belonging to the Coalition “launched raids on the burners for oil [primitive oil refineries] near the town of Mansoura [24 km west of the city of Raqqa]…

Summary

Published
11 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2017

Incident Code

CS567

Location

الكرامة, Al Karama and Al Ghassaniyah, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians died and five were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Karama and Al Ghassaniya, according to a single source. Activists told the Smart news agency that warplanes “likely” belonging to the Coalition carried out strikes on Al Karama and Al Ghassaniya. Smart reported that “the planes launched raids on al Karama…

Summary

Published
11 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2017

Incident Code

CI534

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Old city, Nineveh, Iraq
A single source reported that dozens of civilians were killed or injured during the last two days due to different types of shelling in downtown/central Mosul. It was reported that many of the injured had no access to medical treatment and that people were unable to leave their homes, which were damaged by the bombings.

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 March 2017

Incident Code

CS568

Location

كسرة الفرج, Kasrat Faraj, Raqqa, Syria
Between 12 and 22 civilians including six children and seven women died and up to 26 more were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Kasrat Al Faraj area, east of Raqqa city, according to multiple local sources which said that the raids targeted schools. Al Natek Network reported that “17 were killed, most…

Summary

Published
11 March 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
12–22
Civilians reported injured
15–26
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2017

Incident Codes

CS569 RS1952

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between eight and ten civilians died and up to 16 others were wounded in an airstrike on Maskana, according to local sources – though field reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia. The Coalition later denied involvement. Syria News said that “According to activists,…

Summary

Published
11 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
14–16
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 March 2017

Incident Code

CS565

Location

قحطانية, Qahtani, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians died and four were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Qahtani village, according to a single source. Smart News reported that “a local source in the village of Qahtaniya [about 10 km west of raqqa], said that three civilians from one family, including a child, were killed and four others injured”, following…

Summary

Published
10 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident