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

10 March 2017

Incident Code

CI531

Location

حي الفاروق, Mosul, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents and press sources said dozens of civilians were killed or injured in Al Farouk neighbourhood in the west of Mosul. This reportedly included 19 members from the same family, including women and children. They died when their house was bombed. Sources reported that many of the victims were still under the rubble after…

Summary

Published
10 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
19–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 March 2017

Incident Code

CI532

Location

Mosul, Rajm Hadid, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “March 10, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information and strike video it was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 March 2017

Incident Code

CI533

Location

Mosul, al Uamal, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an NGO report. According to the Coalition report, “March 10, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report:After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 March 2017

Incident Code

CS563

Location

حمرة بلاسم, Hamra Blassem, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians died and seven were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hamra Blassem, according to local sources. Halab Today, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered and the Syrian Network all blamed the Coalition, putting the death toll at four. According to Syria News Desk – which also…

Summary

Published
10 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 March 2017

Incident Code

CI529

Location

اليرموك, Mosul, Yarmouk, Nineveh, Iraq
Local press and residents, as well as al-Amaq (ISIL) press sources, said that Coalition shelling had targeted several neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul, especially near apartments in Al-Yarmouk neighbourhood, with munitions equipped with controversial White Phosphorus. No civilian casualties were reported. Iraqi Spring posted a video on Facebook of al-Amaq agency [ISIL], showing…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 March 2017

Incident Code

CI530

Location

نابلس, Mosul, Nablus, Nineveh, Iraq
Security forces and press sources told Al Araby that two children (aged four and seven years old) were found alive under the rubble by Iraqi forces, while their mother was killed. They reported that she died after a Coalition airstrike bombed their home in Nablus neighbourhood in West Mosul, on the Friday night. It was…

Summary

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