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

17 February 2017

Incident Code

CI463

Location

مدينة الطب, Mosul, Medical City Hospital, Nineveh, Iraq
Several sources claimed that civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on a medical complex in western Mosul. While Iraqi Spring and Raedlay spoke of 18 dead and 47 wounded, News of Iraq reported the death of a child in a video. The Coalition confirmed to have carried out the strike, but did not state any…

Summary

Published
17 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
18
Civilians reported injured
47
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2017

Incident Code

CS500

Location

سويدية صغيرة, Sweidah Sagheer, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, LCCSY, reported that 14 civilians died in an airstrike on Al Suweida village, though the source didn’t identify who was responsible for the raid. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
17 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2017

Incident Code

CS501

Location

المركز الثقافي القديم, Old Cultural disctrict, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, Smart, reported that one civilian male was killed and his six-year-old child injured in an airstrike that was later confirmed by the Coalition. Contrary to the reporting, in October 2017 the Coalition admitted to having killed three civilians. In its monthly civilian casualty report, the following was noted: “During a Coalition strike that…

Summary

Published
17 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2017

Incident Code

CS502

Location

Al Tabqah, Qaryah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near al Tabqah, Syria”. According to the Coalition report, “6. Feb. 17, 2017, near Al Tabqah, Syria, via social media report: After a review of available information it…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 February 2017

Incident Code

CI462

Location

Mosul, Isilah Zeraei / Agragarian Reform, Nineveh, Iraq
In a previously unreported incident, the Coalition confirmed on April 1st 2017 that it had accidentally killed two civilians during an attack on an ISIL vehicle bomb factory. The Coalition stated: “Feb. 16, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS VBIED facility, it was assessed that two civilians were unintentionally…

Summary

Published
16 February 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 February 2017

Incident Code

CS495

Location

Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Heavy Coalition airstrikes on al Tabaqa resulted in at least one civilian death, according to multiple reports. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered said that “several missiiles fell near Omar al Mukhtar school in al Tabaqa” killing one child and injuring two or more. According to Step News “B52s launched ten air strikes targeting points in al…

Summary

Published
16 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident