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

3 March 2017

Incident Code

CI505

Location

Mosul, Al Mahatta, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents said a number of civilians were killed after an alleged airstrike struck the Abu Huraira School in the station area. The school was reportedly being used by displaced families fleeing the violence in other neighbourhoods. Mosul Ateka (Facebook) reported Fawad Ali Abu Abdullah as having been killed in the raids on March 3rd,…

Summary

Published
3 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–21
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 March 2017

Incident Code

CI506

Location

المنصور, Mosul, Al Mansour, Nineveh, Iraq
Surviving family members told Buzzfeed investigators that five members of a family died in a suspected Coalition strike. The alliance later accepted responsibility. Buzzfeed casenotes for the incident were later shared with Airwars: “GPS Coordinates: 36°19’02.5″N, 43°06’35.1″E Date and approximate time: March 3, at around 11am Casualties: The nephew and four nieces of Zayd Younes…

Summary

Published
3 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 March 2017

Incident Code

CS547

Location

الرصافة, Al Rasafa, Raqqa, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed and a similar number injured after a reported Coalition strike targeted an oil well near al Rasafa. According to the Syrian Mirror “Coalition warplanes targeted Miksar oil well which is north of Rasafa, and killed four people.” Micro Syria reported similar. Smart News reported that “aircraft likely from the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 March 2017

Incident Code

CS548

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 12 civilians were reported killed and four injured in an air raid which most sources blamed on the Coalition. According to MicroSyria “Warplanes carried out two raids in Tabaqa which is under the control of ISIL and killed 5 civilians, and wounded others including women and children who were taken to hospitals.” Smart…

Summary

Published
3 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–12
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 March 2017

Incident Code

CI507

Location

Mosul, Mashahda, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on June 2nd 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “13. March 3, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information it was assessed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2017

Incident Code

CS546

Location

الرصافة, Al Rasafa, Raqqa, Syria
According to Smart News, five civilians died and two were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Rasafa. Smart reported that the warplanes – “likely” belonging to the Coalition – “bombed a bus as it passed through on the road from al Rasafa to al Mansoura (30 km west of Raqqa City), after civilians…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident