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

17 January 2017

Incident Code

CS446

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “Coalition planes launched a raid last night on al Tabaqa targeting the villas area in the First neighbourhood [Al Awwal neighbouhood] which led to the injury of several civilians.”    

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI430

Location

الرشيدية, Mosul, Al-Rashidiyah, Nineveh, Iraq
A local source said that many civilians were killed or injured by Coalition airstrikes on Rashidiyah neighborhood in the north east of Mosul. Iraqi Turkmen Front Mosul reported that their bodies were still under the rubble. It made appeal to the international Coalition “not to target civilians through inaccurate air raids or indiscriminate shelling of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS447 TS053 RS1839

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria
Up to thirteen civilians reportedly died in airstrikes at Tadef near al Bab, as heavy clashes continued with ISIL for control of the strategic city. Step News, Al Bab News, Syria News Desk and the Syrian Observatory blamed Turkey for the attack, while LCCSY said Russia was responsible. The Syrian Network instead said that “8…

Summary

Published
17 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–13
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2017

Incident Code

CI431

Location

الرشيدية, Mosul, Al-Rashidiyah, Nineveh, Iraq

Summary

Published
17 January 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2017

Incident Code

CI427

Location

Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that many civilians were killed or injured in Coalition airstrikes and shelling by Iraqi forces, in neigbourhoods at the left side of Mosul. The Iraqi Spring Media Center had tracked the bombings “from dawn until now” and said the raids targeted residential neighbourhoods. It said that hundreds of civilians were fleeing.

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 January 2017

Incident Code

CS445

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Raqqa. Their July 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIS compound, after reviewing post-strike video, it was assessed that one civilian who was not observed near the target during the…

Summary

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