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

22 February 2017

Incident Code

CS528

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
According to a single source, the Violations Documentation Center, two adult males from Qusair died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Idlib. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 February 2017

Incident Code

CI475

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian during a strike in Mosul. The April 30th 2017 release noted: “Feb. 22, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a moving vehicle, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 February 2017

Incident Code

CI476

Location

near Mosul, Iraq, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq” via an “NGO report”. According to the Coalition report: “71. Feb. 22, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 February 2017

Incident Code

CS522

Location

الفرار, Al Farrar, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Al Farrar, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Coalition or the Assad regime. Halab Today, the Smart news network, SRG and The Media of the Army of Rebels all attributed the incident to…

Summary

Published
22 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 February 2017

Incident Code

CS523

Location

الخاتونية, Khatouniyah, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Smart news agency, five non-combatants were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the villages of Kahtaniya and al Khatuniyah in the Raqqa countryside. The source also said thayt some livestock was killed. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 February 2017

Incident Code

CS524

Location

Kabish Sharqi and Tishreen farm villages, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians including one child and one woman died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Kabish Sharqi and Tishreen farm villages, according to a single source, the Smart news agency. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
22 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident