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

20 February 2017

Incident Code

CS516

Location

AL-SAHAMIYAH AND AL - FATATISH, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on media claims of civilian harm “near al Raqqah, Syria”. According to the Coalition report, “7. Feb. 20, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via media report: After a review of available information it was assessed that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 February 2017

Incident Codes

TS083 CS514

Location

الباب, Al Bab city, Aleppo, Syria
Between 12 and 29 civilians including up to five children and five women died in airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local media - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Turkey or the US-led Coalition. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
20 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–29
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2017

Incident Code

CI471

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq
Local and press sources said that 89 civilians, including 32 children, were killed and 134 others injured due to Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling during the last 72 hours in the west of Mosul. We have reduced the figure to between 60-80 civilian deaths and 80-100 injuries for February 20th-21st in order to avoid double…

Summary

Published
20 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
60–80
Civilians reported injured
80–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2017

Incident Code

CI472

Location

Mosul, Wadi Hajar, Nineveh, Iraq
At least four civilians were reported killed following a rocket attack by either the ISF or the Coalition on a mosque at Wadi Hajjar, according to an eyewitness. Amnesty International published the following account: “An attack struck Khaled Ibn al-Waleed mosque, in Wadi Hajjar, at close to 3pm on or around 20 February (witnesses could…

Summary

Published
20 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2017

Incident Code

CI467

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that up to 130 civilians were killed and 78 injured after Coalition airstrikes and/ or Iraqi artillery had struck many residential buildings in Al-Shafaa (Shifa) in West Mosul. The Coalition has confirmed causing 10 deaths. Press sources had told Yaqein that “the retaliatory shelling by aircraft and artillery by government forces had,…

Summary

Published
19 February 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
30–130
Civilians reported injured
78
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2017

Incident Code

CI468

Location

Mosul, Flour Mill (West Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that nine persons were either killed or wounded as a result of airstrikes by the US-led Coalition on a flour firm in the west of Mosul. Raedlay said that five people were killed and four were injured in the raids. On April 30th 2017, the Coalition confirmed a civilian casualty event in…

Summary

Published
19 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident