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

26 February 2017

Incident Code

CI489

Location

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq
Eleven civilians died in a mortar strike by an unspecified party on al Tanak neighbourhoopd, according to eyewitnesses. Amnesty shared the following field report with Airwars: “Family: 2 boys and 4 girls and his wife. Mother in law – unharmed but taken to hospital where she died having suffered a heart attack Mother – unharmed.…

Summary

Published
26 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–12
Civilians reported injured
6–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2017

Incident Code

CS538

Location

المقطاع / المقطع, Makta'a Hajar, Aleppo, Syria
One child 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. The Violations Documentation Center named a child, Fatima Mohammad al Hamada, as a victim of coalition raids in Manbij. According to the activist,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 February 2017

Incident Code

CI484

Location

Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that 27 civilians were killed, including women and children, and 63 were injured by Coalition airstrikes and artillery bombing on several neighborhoods at the right side of Mosul. Sawif Ateka published a photograph of an unnamed little girl who it said died in shelling on the Al-Zinjili neighbourhood. In its June casualty…

Summary

Published
25 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
27
Civilians reported injured
63
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2017

Incident Code

CI485

Location

Mosul, al Mamun, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment civilian harm claims “near Mosul, Iraq” via a media report. According to the Coalition report, “10. Feb. 25, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: After a review of available information and strike video it…

Summary

Published
25 February 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2017

Incident Code

CI486

Location

Mosul, al Mamun, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars the Coalition assessed no civilians were harmed: "Feb. 25, 2017, near the Al Ma’mun neighborhood in Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find that civilians were harmed in this strike."

Summary

Published
25 February 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2017

Incident Code

CI487

Location

وادي حجر, Mosul, Wadi Hajar, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition confirmed the deaths of five civilians in an event in Mosul while survivors' accounts add that at least three others were severely injured in the airstrikes. Their June 2017 civilian casualty report noted “During a strike on an ISIS VBIED, it was assessed that five…

Summary

Published
25 February 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident