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

5 March 2017

Incident Code

CI511

Location

Mosul, Hal al Abar, Nineveh, Iraq
In a previously unreported incident, Amnesty field researchers spoke with survivors of a March 5th incident which left five non-combatants dead and five more injured – all from one family. The following unpublished report was shared with Airwars: “I survived an attack on 5 March. Our house was encircled by IS and ISF fighters, and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 March 2017

Incident Code

CS550

Location

الرقة‎, Saif al Dawla street, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was reported injured in what appeared to have been a targeted strike on Ar Raqqah. According to Smart News, “Two members of Islamic State were killed and a civilian injured on Sunday, after aerial bombardment most likely by the international coalition on the city of Raqqa, northern Syria, according to a local source.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 March 2017

Incident Code

CS551

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an event previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition said no civilians were harmed near Raqqa, In it's April 2017 casualty report the Coalition said: "No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties".

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 March 2017

Incident Code

CI508

Location

حي المطاحن, Mosul, Al-Matahin / Mills, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that up to 40 civilians were killed and more than 76 injured, mostly children and women, in Coalition airstrikes on the Station, Mills and Fatah neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul. While Iraqi Spring Media Center blamed the US for carrying out the raids (and posted several graphic images of children…

Summary

Published
4 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
36–40
Civilians reported injured
76–84
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2017

Incident Code

CI509

Location

المنصور, Mosul, Al Mansour, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that a number of civilians were killed or injured, mostly children and women, when airstrikes struck the Shula kindergarten in Mansour neighborhood, at the right side of Mosul. According to press sources, the warplanes had targeted an ISIL headquarters. None of the sources identified the warplanes. Wadi Hajar (Facebook) posted a photo…

Summary

Published
4 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2017

Incident Code

CS549

Location

حمرة ناصر, Hamra Nasser, Raqqa, Syria
Six civilians were reported killed following alleged Coalition air raids on three villages in Raqqah governorate. Micro Syria – citing Smart News – said that “six civilians were killed and 10 wounded due to likely Coalition warplane raids in Hamra Naser, Hamra Balasem and Karamah villages. Four of those killed were from Hamra Balasem, while…

Summary

Published
4 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident