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

24 February 2017

Incident Code

CS530

Location

حصيبة, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians died in an airstrike on Abu Kamal, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Iraqi warplanes. RFS Media said that the Coalition carried out a strike, though added that there was so far no reports of civilian casualties. Euphrates…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2017

Incident Code

CS531

Location

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Raqqa, Syria
Smart news agency, reported the death of three civilians including one child and the injury of one other in an alleged Coalition airstrikes on Kasrat Juma’a village in the western Raqqa countryside. Smart reported: “The source said the raids are likely to have been by the international coalition and targeted a poultry farm in the…

Summary

Published
24 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2017

Incident Code

CI480

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local and press sources claimed that nine civilians were killed and more than twenty wounded in an airstrike conducted by planes of the US-led Coalition on Al Qa’im City. According to Yaqein “a news source said that Coalition forces launched intensive raids on the city of Qaim, western Anbar province, killing nine civilians. The source…

Summary

Published
24 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
22–35
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2017

Incident Code

CI481

Location

مزير, Mazir, Kirkuk, Iraq
A single local media source reported that ten civilians were killed and many others were wounded in Coalition raids on Mazirr village, near Dibis region, north of Kirkuk City. No additional details are presently known. In December 2018, the Coalition announced that it had classed the event as non credible due to a lack of…

Summary

Published
24 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2017

Incident Code

CI482

Location

Mosul, al Mamun, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on September 29th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an “NGO report”. According to the Coalition report: “80. Feb. 24, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information and strike…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 February 2017

Incident Code

CS529

Location

البارودة, Al Barouda, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians died and nine were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Barouda village in the western Raqqa countryside, according to two local sources. Smart said that the wounded included women and children. Smart’s source added that the warplanes “targeted the village despite there being no military headquarters for the organization [ISIL] there”.…

Summary

Published
23 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
7–9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident