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

CI458

Location

قصر المطران, Mosul, Qasr al-Mataraan, Nineveh, Iraq
A local source said that three sisters were killed and their mother seriously injured after airstrikes destroyed their house neighbouring an ISIL position in Qasr al-Mataraan (Bishop Palace) area at the right side of Mosul. Urgent Mosul news reported that the raids had targeted and killed ISIL members, yet had also killed the three sisters.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 February 2017

Incident Code

CI459

Location

معمل طحين العكلات, Mosul, Aeklam flour mill near Shaam Gate, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that up 16 persons were killed and ten others injured after Coalition airstrikes targeted the ‘Aeklat’ flour mill at the right side of Mosul. Iraqi Spring reported that the raids took place close to Sham Gate. Ajel Al Mosul said that the “airstrike that targeted a house in a flour mill at…

Summary

Published
14 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
14–16
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 February 2017

Incident Code

CI460

Location

Mosul, Airport, Nineveh, Iraq

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 February 2017

Incident Code

CS492

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
There were confused reports of the death of Abdel-Fattah al-Haj Hussein. While one source claimed he died in an airstrike while being held prisoner by ISIL, a second source said he died in a Turkish strike – with a third source claiming Mr Hussein died of natural causes. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered initially reported the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 February 2017

Incident Code

CS493

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an alleged civilian casualty event not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition announced in June 2017 that it had assessed a reported event near Raqqa as Non Credible, based on an assessment of video evidence. According to the June report “Feb. 14, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media report: After a review of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 February 2017

Incident Code

CS488

Location

جسر المغلة, Al Maghla bridge, Raqqa, Syria
According to a single source, two civilian workers died when the bridge they were repairing was targeted n a Coalition airstrike. Smart News reported that “Two workers were killed and others wounded on Monday, after bombing by aircraft from the international coalition at Al Maghla bridge during maintenance work in the city of Raqqa, according…

Summary

Published
13 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident