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

18 February 2017

Incident Code

CI465

Location

المستشفى العام, Mosul, Ibn Senna Hospital, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of four civilians and the injuries of six in an event near Mosul. Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS headquarters building, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that four civilians, who were not…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 February 2017

Incident Code

CI466

Location

جامع يحيى الطالب, Mosul, Omar al Taleb mosque, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians in an event near Mosul. Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS headquarters building, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally injured." The Coalition provided Airwars with…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 February 2017

Incident Code

CS503

Location

حي الدرعية, Dir'iya, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, Smart, reported the deaths of three civilians including one woman and the injury of six others in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the Dir’iyta neighbourhood of Raqqa. According to Smart, “a local source in the town of Raqqa said that two men and a woman were killed and six others seriously injured…

Summary

Published
18 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 February 2017

Incident Code

CS504

Location

الأكراد, al Akrad and al Mashlab neighbourhoods, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians including one child and two women died and four others were wounded – some critically – in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the neighbourhoods of al Akrad and al Mashlab in Raqqa, according to local sources. According to Baladi, “several sources reported from inside the city of Raqqa that international coalition planes killed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 February 2017

Incident Code

CS505

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, Sharqiya Voice, reported the death of one civilian in Raqqa. The source said: “A civilian was killed while he was on a waterway crosser [something used to cross the waterway though they’re not saying a boat] after being hit by shrapnel following an air raid targeting the city of Raqqa. He is…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 February 2017

Incident Code

CS506

Location

الرقة‎, Land Bank, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians died and six others were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to a single source, the Smart news agency. Smart reported that “a local source, who preferred not to be named, said that the warplanes – likely belonging to the international coalition – launched three raids on the city, targeting…

Summary

Published
18 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident