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

9 March 2017

Incident Codes

CI525 CS562

Location

السنجك, Sanjak, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources said that an airstrike targeted ISIL members on the Iraq-Syria border, which also resulted in the death of a civilian woman. Unusually, the incident was attributed to both sides of the border. Geolocation by Airwars volunteer Christiaan Triebert (see map below) has concluded that they are almost certainly the same incident. On the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

CI526

Location

الطوافة, Mosul, Tawafah, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents and press sources said that dozens of civilians were killed and that their bodies were still under the rubble after a violent airstrike targeted Tawafa area, between the station and Bab Al Beith, and demolished the houses of the entire street. MNN reported that engineer Younis Hamadoun Qasim al-Naimi Oribi (see photo below)…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

CI527

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
In a previously unknown civilian casualty event, the Coalition confirmed in April 2017 that two civilians died during an attack on a vehicle. As their civilian casualty report noted, “March, 9, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a moving vehicle, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

CI528

Location

حي الفاروق, Mosul, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq
A local source told Airwars’ Iraq-based field researcher that three of his family members died in the Farouk neighbourhood of Mosul, after Coalition airstrikes allegedly targeted their house at 3pm in the afternoon while they were praying. The family member provided Airwars with the names of the casualties, his father and his two brothers.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 March 2017

Incident Codes

CS559 RS1939

Location

البوراشد, Albu Rashed, Raqqa, Syria
In a major incident, up to 24 civilians reportedly died and 20 others were injured when an aircraft allegedly struck a vehicle just outside Al bu Rashed. Most of those killed were said to be children and women. All source blamed the Coalition, except one, which said that this was the work of Russia. Step…

Summary

Published
8 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
14–24
Civilians reported injured
20
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2017

Incident Code

CS560

Location

near Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an event previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition said that no civilians were harmed near Raqqa on March 9th. In its July 2017 casualty report the Coalition stated: "After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian…

Summary

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