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

21 January 2017

Incident Code

CI437

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources said that several people were killed in several alleged Coalition airstrikes on al Qaim city, west of Anbar. It was reported that Mustafa Hashim Mustafa Said Ahmed al-Rawi died as a result of the attack. News of Iraq said that “an entire family” died in the raids.

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 January 2017

Incident Code

CS451

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian woman was killed following air raids by an unidentified belligerent on Raqqa city. According to LCCSY and other, “Mrs. Dalal Zare’ al Haj Ta’ama was martyred following raids on the city. The martyr is from Deir Ezzor province.”  

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 January 2017

Incident Code

CS450

Location

سويدية كبيرة, Sowaiydiya Kabira, Raqqa, Syria
Between one and five civilians died in an airstrike on Al Sweidiya Kabira according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or “PKK militants” were responsible. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered reported: “The international coalition launched three air raids on the village of al Sweidiya kabira in the northern Tabaqa…

Summary

Published
19 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2017

Incident Code

CI434

Location

القوسيات, Mosul, Alqosjat, Nineveh, Iraq
Press sources said that 34 civilians, including 21 children and a woman, were killed after airstrikes and artillery shelling targeted the neighborhoods on the left side of Mosul. A local hospital doctor told Alaraby that “nine dead [bodies] just arrived at the hospital, while the others are still under the rubble”.  

Summary

Published
19 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
34
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2017

Incident Code

CI435

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifai, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said 14 civilians were killed and 6 injured, mostly children and women, in Coalition airstrikes that had targeted their homes in Rifai neighbourhood northwest of Mosul. Iraqi Spring Media Center said that seven children, four women and three men were killed as a result of the bombing on their homes. On March 4th…

Summary

Published
19 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
14
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2017

Incident Code

CS449

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, Smart News, reported that “IS members were killed and civilians injured on Thursday, in aerial bombardment likely to be by the international coalition which targeted an IS vehicle east of the city of Raqqa, according to witnesses and medical sources.” No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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