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

CS564

Location

الرقة‎, Al Qitar/Al Bustan, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died and five others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike in Raqqa, according to a single source. According to Smart News, “a local source in the town of Raqqa said the strikes targeted al Qitar (Train) Street and al Bustan park, killing one civilian and wounding five others”. It said the strikes were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

CI522

Location

حي المعلمين, Mosul, al Mua'lmen/ Teachers, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents and press sources said that more than 200 bodies were still under the rubble and on the streets after Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces targeted the area close to “Syed Jamal” mosque in the Teachers district and other neighbourhoods in the West of Mosul. @Sonawa1 reported on Twitter: “A huge explosion…

Summary

Published
9 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
50–200
Civilians reported injured
50–200
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

CI523

Location

العامل, Mosul, Amil, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents and press sources said that dozens of civilians were killed or injured and many were still under rubble, after reported Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces targeted Amil neighborhood, west of Mosul. Iraqi Spring reported that “the government forces shelled their homes in Amil neighborhood at the right side of Mosul after…

Summary

Published
9 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–24
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

CI524

Location

Mosul, Amil/ al Mua'lmen, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in a strike between Amil and al Mua'lmen neighbourhoods. Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted "During a strike to crater roads used by ISIS VBIEDs against Iraqi Security Forces, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

CS561

Location

الكرامة, Al Karama, Raqqa, Syria
Between seven and 23 civilians including six children died and 18 to 30 more, including women and children, were injured in Coalition airstrikes on Al Karama town and nearby villages in Raqqa governorate, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of Jum’a Mahmood Hamad Al-Hito “who was killed today due…

Summary

Published
9 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–23
Civilians reported injured
18–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS562

Location

منطقة الهاني الحدودية مع البوكمال, Al Hari border area Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Summary

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