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

2 March 2017

Incident Code

CI502

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that 20 civilians were killed and 18 injured, mostly children and women, after Coalition airstrikes allegedly targeted a residential building in Al-Shafaa (Shifa) neighborhood in western Mosul. Some sources quoted ISIL media reporting this incident. Others said local press sources provided the information. Most reports blamed the US specifically for the raids.

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
18
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2017

Incident Code

CI503

Location

المنصور, Mosul, Al Mansour, Nineveh, Iraq
Four civilians were reported killed at al Mansour during heavy fighting, according to a single source. Their bodies were buried at Amel school. According to Shafaaq, “Four civilians were killed in the Mansour district, southwest of Mosul during the battles between Iraqi forces and organize Daesh in the neighborhood, which is still under the control…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2017

Incident Code

CI504

Location

New Mosul neighbourhood, Nineveh, Iraq
An eyewitness, Ghania Hassan – resident of the al-Jadida (New Mosul) neighborhood – told Foreign Policy that more than 56 civilians were killed after a Coalition missile hit a house where they were gathered, reportedly forced to by ISIL combattants. The eyewitness account as written down by Sam Kimball, Foreign Policy: “If they stopped the…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
56
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 March 2017

Incident Code

CI497

Location

سوق الشعارين, Mosul, Sha'aren market, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that 18 persons were either killed or injured, including children and women, after airstrikes reportedly struck the Sha’aren market and mills area in western Mosul. Iraq News reported “the deaths of four people and the injuring of 14 others including women and children, following an aerial bombardment on the Sha’aren market and…

Summary

Published
1 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 March 2017

Incident Code

CI498

Location

لجامع عمر الاسود في حي الفاروق, Mosul, Omar al-Aswad mosque, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that up to 80 civilians were killed or injured after Coalition or Iraqi airstrikes targeted the Omar mosque area in al-Faruq neighborhood in western Mosul. The mosque was used as a shelter by displaced families, according to the Niniva Media Center. Reuters cited three local witnesses, noting that “The Omar al-Aswad mosque,…

Summary

Published
1 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
50–80
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 March 2017

Incident Code

CS544

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Between two and 12 civilians including four children were killed and up to 14 others injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Tabaqa, according to sources. Smart News initially reported that “A medical source said that two civilians died and three were wounded, including a child in critical condition.” Raqqa is Being Slaughtered said…

Summary

Published
1 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
3–14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident