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

18 January 2017

Incident Code

CS448

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died and three others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Tabaqa, according to local media. Shaam News Network said that three civilians were wounded in a Coalition strike. LCCSY named Nour Riyad al Ayyash, from Deir Ezzor, as a victim. An Eye on Raqqa also named the victim and blamed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI432

Location

حي النجار, Mosul, Al-Najjar, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that up to 14 people, mostly from one family, were killed when a Coalition airstrike targeted the house of Khalil Ekrb at 3pm in Al-Najjar neighborhood, near Hawi, in the northwest of Mosul. Iraqyoon said the raids had targeted ISIL members in front of the house, but that the bombing “did not…

Summary

Published
18 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
14
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 January 2017

Incident Code

CI433

Location

الزاب, Al Zab, Kirkuk, Iraq
Multiple sources said that dozens of civilians were killed or injured when a Coalition airstrike hit a health center, a power station and a market in Zab town, southwest of Kirkuk. Raedlay posted a video showing the aftermath of the strikes and the destruction of the health center. Correspondences Team said that four strikes had…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 January 2017

Incident Code

CS447a

Location

near Idlib, Idlib, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of three civilians near Idlib, Syria. In its May 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted "Coalition aircraft conducted a strike against a Daesh vehicle. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike." The report also…

Summary

Published
17 January 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2017

Incident Code

CI428

Location

الصديق الثانيه, Mosul, 7 Nisan (April) or Baysan, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that six civilians were killed and eight injured due to Coalition airstrikes on Baysan neighborhood, in the northeast of Mosul. Relatives of the dead later said that eight had in fact died, all from the family of Qasan Abdul Kadir and including four children. According to Yaqein and News of Iraq, the…

Summary

Published
17 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2017

Incident Code

CI429

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that more than 30 civilians were killed or injured by an air or drone strike on a funeral in al Shifa, and in other neighborhoods west of Mosul. Iraqyoon quoted witnesses saying that “aircraft had bombed a funeral for the Sangaree family in Shifa neighborhood, at the right side of Mosul”. People…

Summary

Published
17 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–21
Civilians reported injured
11–22
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident