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

Incident Code

CI469

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul Airport, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition said in its July report that an allegation on social media of civilian casualties had been assessed as Not Credible. According to the report “Feb. 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 February 2017

Incident Code

CI470

Location

المدينة القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
In a further incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition said in its July report that an allegation on social media of civilian casualties at Old Mosul had been assessed as Not Credible. According to the report “Feb. 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 February 2017

Incident Code

CS507

Location

دركوش, Darkoush, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was injured following an alleged Coalition drone strike on a vehicle on the road of Darkoush al jamiliya, according to local sources. Some sources suggested that this was a militant car. Idlib Media Center, reported that “a civilian was wounded after his car was targeted by a coalition drone”. Al amawi, Jisr media…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 February 2017

Incident Code

CS508

Location

Khatouniya & Salhabiya, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died and two others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the villages of Khatouniya and al Salhabiya, according to a single source. Smart reported that “a local source said Coalition aircraft bombed the villages of Khatouniya and Salhabiya in the western Raqqa countryside which resulted in the killing of one civilian…

Summary

Published
19 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2017

Incident Code

CS509

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition stated in April that its aircraft had not been involved in a civilian casualty event alleged by an NGO. According to the report: “Feb. 19, 2018, near Manbij, Syria, via NGO report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 February 2017

Incident Code

CI464

Location

باب البيض, Mosul, Bab al Beith, Nineveh, Iraq
“Dozens” of civilians were reported killed and injured following alleged US Apache helicopter and Iraqi artillery strikes on West Mosul. Yaqein reported both Apache helicopter and Iraqi artillery strikes on the ISIL-occupied West of the city. Ajel al Mousul reported only artillery strikes, which it said: “caused the martyrdom and wounding of dozens of civilians.”…

Summary

Published
18 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–24
Civilians reported injured
28
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident