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

23 February 2017

Incident Code

CI477

Location

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Mosul al-Jadid / New Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Local and press sources said that four civilians were killed and twelve to sixteen others were injured, mostly children and women, when Coalition airstrikes targeted a residential building in the west of Mosul. While Iraqi Spring spoke of “Coalition” airstrikes, the other sources blamed the US more specifically. In two later posts, Iraqi Spring shared…

Summary

Published
23 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12–16
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2017

Incident Code

CI478

Location

المأمون, Mosul, Mamoon, Nineveh, Iraq
Local and press sources said that eleven civilians were killed, including three kids, and dozens others were injured in Coalition airstrikes targeting their houses in Mamoon neighborhood, at the west side of Mosul.

Summary

Published
23 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2017

Incident Code

CI479

Location

حي النجار, Mosul, Al Najar, Nineveh, Iraq
In a previously unknown allegation, the Coalition reported in June 2017 that following a self-reported event in Mosul, it had been determined that no civilians had been harmed. According to the June report, “Feb. 23, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no…

Summary

Published
23 February 2017
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 February 2017

Incident Code

CS525

Location

سلحبية, Salhabiya, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Salhabiya, 25 km west of Raqqa city, according to the Smart news agency. Jisr TV reported that the Coalition carried out raids on al Salhabiya, but didn’t mention any casualties.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 February 2017

Incident Code

CS526

Location

جليب خليل, Jleib Khalil, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, the Smart news agency, reported that three civilians died and five were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the villages of Khuytar and Jleib Khalil, north west of Raqqa. According to Smart, “the sources said that the warplanes targeted the villages of Khuytar and the mosque in the village of Jleib…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 February 2017

Incident Code

CS527

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on al Tabaqa, according to Smart News and the Syrian journalist Mazen Mohammad. Jisr TV reported that the Coalition carried out raids but did not mention any casualties. On April 30th 2017 the Coalition declared the event ‘not credible’, noting: “Feb. 22, 2017, near Tabqah, Syria, via…

Summary

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