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

26 January 2017

Incident Code

CI439

Location

الدواسة, Mosul, Dawassa area, Nineveh, Iraq
Baghdadia and Muez Al Ubiedi (Facebook) said that in the Wells and Dawasa neighborhoods two people were killed and fifteen wounded, mostly children. They blamed the US for the bombing. The Coalition has conceded the casualties. Al Rawed posted an Al A’Amaq [ISIL propaganda] video showing “the damage left behind by US aircraft [as it]…

Summary

Published
26 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2017

Incident Code

CI441

Location

Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that 20 civilians were killed and 17 injured – mostly women and children – in Coalition airstrikes on residential areas at the right side of Mosul. Several sources reported that “US strikes” had targeted the neighbourhoods of Dawasa and Farouk, western Mosul.

Summary

Published
27 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
17
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 January 2017

Incident Code

CS458

Location

سحل الخشب, Sahil al Khashab, Raqqa, Syria
Several civilians were reported injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes on Sahil al Khashab. According to Raqqa is Benig Slaughtered, “several civilians were injured following the targeting by the international coalition planes the village of Sahil al Khashab with an air raid.” All other sources reported similar.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS459 TS062

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria
Two named children died in either Turkish or Coalition airstrikes on Tadef. According to the Syrian Network “The children So’ad and Jonaid Fares Al Ali died after International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Tadef town in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs.” However according to al Bab News, “Turkish planes launched three raids at dawn today killing two from the family…

Summary

Published
25 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 January 2017

Incident Code

CI438

Location

Wadi Hajjar, Nineveh, Iraq
Three civilians were reportedly injured by ISF (or possibly Coalition) mortars according to eyewitness interviews by Amnesty International. A previously unpublished assessment which Amnesty shared with Airwars reads as follows: “On 25 January an ISF mortar [Airwars note: presumed – but possibly US, see below] landed on their house in Wadi Hajjar and caused it…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 January 2017

Incident Code

CS457

Location

ابو جدي, Abu Jeddi, Raqqa, Syria
One named civilian died during clashes between Kurdish and ISIL forces at Abu Jeddi. According to the Syrian Observatory, “a man from Abu Jedi village in the northern countryside of Al-Tabaqa west of Al-Raqqah was killed in bombing by warplanes yesterday on the area, it is believed that the warplanes belong to the International Coalition.”…

Summary

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