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

14 January 2017

Incident Code

CI422

Location

Mosul, Rashadiya, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition reported on March 4th that: “Jan. 14, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a counter-fire strike on an ISIS mortar team it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after weapon was fired.” Officials later informed Airwars that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 January 2017

Incident Code

CI423

Location

Mosul, Jaza'ir / Algeria, Nineveh, Iraq
Medical sources in Erbil confirmed that the child Marwa Duraid Younis Khalil was severely injured and her mother (Eman Jamal Kamber Ali) was killed when a Coalition airstrike targeted their home in Jaza’ir neighborhood, east of Mosul. News of Iraq posted two videos of the girl (who was found alone in the hospital after her…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 January 2017

Incident Codes

TS048 CS443 RS1828

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and 12 civilians were killed, and as many as 22 were wounded, in an air and artillery strike which hit the Daesh controlled area of Tadef, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with two sources blaming the International US led Coalition, two blaming Syrian regime helicopters, and many more…

Summary

Published
13 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–12
Civilians reported injured
17–22
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2017

Incident Code

CI418

Location

الفيصلية, Mosul, Al-Faisiliyah, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said Coalition airstrikes bombed a school inhabited by displaced people in Faisaliyah neighborhood in East Mosul, leaving up to 12 civilians dead or wounded. The Coalition subsequently confirmed responsibility. News of Iraq reported that the raids on Friday evening had killed and wounded “12 people, mostly women and children.” All sources said the…

Summary

Published
13 January 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
8–12
Civilians reported injured
1–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2017

Incident Code

CI419

Location

العربي, Mosul, Arabi, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said Coalition airstrikes struck civilian houses in Al Arabi neighborhood, northeast of Mosul, and left dozens of civilian casualties. The area targeted belongs to the Christian community and had been under ISIL control. Ajel Al Mosul reported that “one of the houses, which was bombed at Arabi neighborhood, is the house of Nurse…

Summary

Published
13 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–12
Civilians reported injured
1–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2017

Incident Codes

TS047 CS441

Location

بزاعة, Beza’a city, Aleppo, Syria
Up to nine civilians including two children from the same family died in an airstrike on Beza'a city, according to local media - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Turkey or the US-led Coalition. Aleppo Media Center reported that “the child Hamdo al Bakir and an entire family made up…

Summary

Published
12 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident