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

28 February 2017

Incident Code

CI494

Location

المأمون, Mosul, Mamoon, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that 15 people were killed and 38 wounded, including children and women, due to artillery shelling targeting Tayaran, Dawasa, Rajim Hadid, Ma’moun and Ma’ash Sooq neighborhoods in western Mosul. While most sources did not say who was responsible for the artillery shelling, Yaqein and Niniva media center blamed the Iraqi government forces.…

Summary

Published
28 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
38
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2017

Incident Code

CI495

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another in an event at Al Qaim. Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted "During a strike on an ISIS dump truck filled with VBIED material, after firing warning shots, it was assessed that…

Summary

Published
28 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2017

Incident Code

CI496

Location

نابلس, Mosul, Nablous, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an event near Mosul. Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS VBIED factory, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally killed.” The Coalition provided Airwars with…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 February 2017

Incident Code

CS539

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five non-combatants died in an airstrike on Makta’a Hajar in Manbij, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or the Assad regime was responsible. According to LCCSY, “five civilians from Hatla village in the eastern countryside were killed when the international coalition targeted members of Daesh who…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 February 2017

Incident Code

CS540

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
A reported Coalition strike on an ISIL HQ which killed and injured up to a dozen militants also led to the injuring of three civilians, according to a single source. According to Smart News Coalition planes launched an attack at al Mansoura “on an ISIL headquarters, killing five elements and wounding six others, including a…

Summary

Published
27 February 2017
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 February 2017

Incident Code

CS541

Location

جسر الرقة, Old Bridge, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the old bridge in Raqqa, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “Coalition planes launcedh new raids targeting the old Raqqa bridge, destroying large parts of it, in addition to killing the young man Ahmad Saleh al Arab“. According to Step news…

Summary

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