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

10 February 2017

Incident Code

CS481

Location

هنيدة, Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria
A reported Coalition airstrike on a gas station at Hunaida killed four civilians, according to local reports. Syrian PC and Smart News identically noted that “Warplanes thought to belong to the coalition targeted Abo Saleh Al-A’lwewi petrol station in Hunaida village which is under IS control which killed four civilians and wounded eight, and burned…

Summary

Published
10 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2017

Incident Code

CS482

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
A single source reported the death of one civilian nd the njuring of another in a Copalition raid. According to Smart News, “a civilian was killed and another injured after bombing with heavy machine guns by Coalition planes on silos in Al Mansoura village, and they were taken to the hospital in Al Tabaqa city,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10–20 February, 2017

Incident Code

CI455

Location

Mosul: Near Saffi Rahman mosque, Tal Roman, Nineveh, Iraq
In a previously unreported incident, local eyewitnesses told Amnesty International researchers of an event at Tal Roman in ‘mid February’ which killed eight civilians. The description of a ‘smart missile’ indicated a Coalition action. According to a detailed incident report shared with Airwars: “The house behind our house was hit in the middle of February [not sure…

Summary

Published
10 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 February 2017

Incident Code

CI453

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources said that seven civilians were killed and many others injured after Coalition airstrikes targeted the city of Al Qa’im, in the west of Anbar province. While two sources blamed the Coalition for the raids, Al Mayadeen Alhadath (Facebook) said “planes of [the] Iraqi forces were committing a massacre in the bombing of the…

Summary

Published
9 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 February 2017

Incident Code

CS478

Location

الغدفة, Al Ghadafeh, Idlib, Syria
A 15-year old boy named as Mohammad Haj Ahmad was reported by VDC as having been killed by the Coalition. The boy came from Al-Ghadefeh – though it is unclear whether this is where he died. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 February 2017

Incident Code

CS479

Location

الرحيات, Al Rahiat, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians were reportedly killed and seven injured in a night time Coaltion strike on al Rahiat near Raqqa. According to Smart News “warplanes bombed, late on Thursday night, the band 17, al Assadiya farm and Al Rahiat, north of Raqqa, killing four civilians, including two women, and injuring seven others, including children, were killed,…

Summary

Published
9 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident