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

12 January 2017

Incident Code

CI415

Location

الموصل الجديدة, Mosul, Mosul al Jadida / New Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that the international Coalition and/or US aircraft had carried out airstrikes in New Mosul neighborhood, West Mosul, leaving up to 30 civilians dead and 14 others wounded. The Coalition later confirmed killing eight civilians in Mosul that day. Iraq News Center said that bombing by “international Coalition aircraft” had led to the…

Summary

Published
12 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
21–40
Civilians reported injured
3–21
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS440 RS1824

Location

جبل الاربعين, Al Arbaeen Mountains, Idlib, Syria
As many as 20 civilians were killed, and others were wounded, according to reports, following an alleged Russian and or Coalition airstrike on a militant-occupied building in the Al-Arba'een Mountains. Shaam News reported that seven civilians died including “four children and three women in addition in addition to others wounded.” Step News blamed the US-led…

Summary

Published
12 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–20
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2017

Incident Code

CI416

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources said airstrikes targeted civilians houses in al Qaim west of Anbar which killed four civilians and injured seven others. Two sources spoke of “government aircraft”, but in a second report by Iraqi Spring Media Center it was later claimed that the US-led Coalition was responsible for the raids.  

Summary

Published
12 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2017

Incident Code

CI417

Location

قرب مسجد الخشاب ، العربي, Vicinity of Al Khashab Mosque, Al Arabi, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said heavy artillery shelling which targeted Al Arabi neighbourhood at the left side of Mosul had left dozens of civilians dead or wounded. In October 2020, the US-led Coalition conceded killing 12 civilians and injuring a further ten in this event. Iraqyoon said at the time that witnesses had reported to the Iraqi…

Summary

Published
12 January 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
12–24
Civilians reported injured
10–15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS442 RS1825

Location

شارع تل أبيض, Tal abyad Street, Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were killed - including a girl and a man - and others were wounded, following an airstrike on a bakery and a falafel restaurant in Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame, some blaming the US led Coalition, and others blaming Russian warplanes. The Coalition later denied…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI413

Location

حي الكفاءات الثانية, Mosul, Kafaat, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that Coalition airstrikes bombed a house with three missiles in Second Ka’afat neighborhood, northeast of Mosul. A car bomb hidden inside the compound caused heavy losses among civilians living in the four houses surrounding the target. Nineveh Media Center reported that the raids took place close to the house of the President…

Summary

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