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

29 January 2017

Incident Code

CS464

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian, a gas station attendant, was reported killed along with four ISIL fighters following an alleged Coalition airstrike at Ar Raqqah. According to Smart News, “One civilian was killed and another wounded, in addition to the killing of a number of members of the Islamic State on Sunday, in a warplane attack likely to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS462 TS066

Location

البزاعة, Al Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed in alleged Coalition or Turkish airstrikes, according to sources. The Syrian Network noted that “four civilians (2 children and their parents) died when International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Baza’a city in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs.” However according to Ara News, “A statement issued by the Presidency of the…

Summary

Published
27 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2017

Incident Code

CI440

Location

Mosul: West, Nineveh, Iraq
There were claims that up to 34 civilians died and 20 or more were injured following Coalition or Iraqi strikes on western Mosul. The Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that airstrikes had targeted residential neighborhoods and killed 32 people, including women and children. Yaqein news also put the death toll at 32. Shebab newsagency said…

Summary

Published
26 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
27–32
Civilians reported injured
5–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2017

Incident Code

CS463

Location

شنينة, Shanina, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians were reported killed – three of them possibly children – in alleged Coalition strikes on the village of Shanina. According to the Syrian Press Centre “Activists said aircraft believed to be from the international coalition targeted civilian houses in the village of Shanina with several air raids, which resulted in the deaths of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 January 2017

Incident Code

CS460

Location

الغكة, Al Ghakka, Al Hassakah, Syria
Claims that a ‘civilian car’ was targed by the Coalition near al Ghakka were later revised, after reports identified a named ISIL commander killed in the attack. Initially, al Hassakah Youth Union reported that “Coalition planes target a civilian car in al Ghakka village east of al Shadadi which led to the death of Ahmad…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 January 2017

Incident Code

CS461

Location

هنيدة, Hunaida, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike near Hunaida. According to the Syrian Observatory, “Explosions were heard in the western countryside of Al-Raqqah city, caused by bombing by warplanes believed to belong to the international coalition on an oil refinery area in Hunaida area at the countryside of al-Tabaqa, which injured several…

Summary

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