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

30 January 2017

Incident Code

CI445

Location

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq
It was reported that 11 civilians died in a Coalition airstrike at Tanak in western Mosul. The Coalition later admitted a US strike in the near area, noting in their April 2017 civilian casualty report that “During a strike on an ISIS weapons manufacturing facility, it was assessed that one civilian in the building was…

Summary

Published
30 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 January 2017

Incident Code

CS465

Location

Western countryside of Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A single source reported the death of one civilian in an alleged Coalition strike. According to the Syrian Observatory, “SOHR documented the death of a person from the southeastern countryside of Homs, he was killed in bombing by warplanes of the International Coalition on areas in the western countryside al-Raqqah city.” No additional details are…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 January 2017

Incident Code

CS466

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria
Up to three civilians were killed in reported Coalition airstrikes around al Tabaqa when a school was hit in airstrikes. One of the casualtiies was said to be a special needs person. According to Smart News, “A local source said the [Coalition] planes bombed the area of the villas and Muhammad Al Fares school in…

Summary

Published
30 January 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2017

Incident Code

CI442

Location

حي الفاروق, Mosul, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq
A local source said that a child was killed and his parents were injured in Coalition airstrikes on Farouk neighbourhood at the right side of Mosul. A government source told Yaqein that a four-year-old boy was killed and his parents seriously injured after an explosive missile was dropped from an aircraft near the al-Farouk neighbourhood,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI443

Location

الإصلاح الزراعي, Mosul, Isilah Zeraei / Agragarian Reform, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that seven civilians were killed and 19 others injured after Coalition airstrikes targeted a flour mill in the Agrarian Reform district at the right side of Mosul. Press sources had also reported that “the bombing caused considerable material damage to a number of civilian houses in the area (..)”

Summary

Published
29 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
19
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2017

Incident Code

CI444

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources reported that a woman and a child were killed and 12 other civilians injured after Coalition raids had targeted the Husaybah area in Al Qa’im, in the west of Anbar province. Most sources said US aircraft had carried out the airstrikes, while one blamed the Coalition. However, no Coalition strikes were publicly eported…

Summary

Published
29 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident