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

11 January 2017

Incident Code

CS437

Location

دبسي عفنان, Debsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria
Between two and four civilians including a child were alleged killed in a Coalition airstrike on Debsi Afnan, according to some local sources. Al Natek reported that four non-combatants died in a Coalition strike. And the Syrian Network said “at least two civilians including a child died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Debsi…

Summary

Published
11 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
1–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS439a RS1821

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed in alleged Russian, Syrian regime, and or US led Coalition airstrikes on Taftanaz. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame. Most sources blame Russia and the Syrian regime, however there were also two allegations against the Coalition.  As many as four civilians were also wounded - according to…

Summary

Published
11 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2017

Incident Code

CS438

Location

مزرعة الرشيد, Al Rashid farms, Raqqa, Syria
A reported Coalition airstrike on an ‘ISIL car’ was said to have missed its target, possibly causing civilian casualties. According to al Natek, “the air raid that targeted al Rashid Farm targeted an IS car but it didn’t hit it. Step News reported that “International coalition planes targeted with several raids Abu Kubra village and…

Summary

Published
11 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS439 RS1820

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Between 10 and 25 fighters of the militant group Fatah al Sham were killed - as well as a civilian policeman - and as many as six other people were injured, following an alleged airstrike in Saraqib. It is not clear whether or not the injured were civilians or members of Fatah al Sham. Sources are conflicted as…

Summary

Published
11 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
0–6
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2017

Incident Code

CI414

Location

المالية, Mosul, Maliyah, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that Coalition airstrikes bombed a house in Maliyah neighborhood, at the left side of Mosul during an operation to retake it. Up to 17 civilians were killed and five others injured, mostly women and children from the same family who were inside the house at the time of the strike. Iraqyoon spoke…

Summary

Published
11 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
17–19
Civilians reported injured
17
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2017

Incident Code

CI412

Location

حي الحدباء, Mosul, Al-Hadba, Nineveh, Iraq
A local sources claimed Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling targeted the Hadbah neighbourhood northeast of Mosul had killed “dozens of civilians.” This took place after ISIL reportedly targeted Iraqi forces with three bombed cars during the afternoon. Ajel Al Mosul spoke of “heavy” and “indiscriminate” airstrikes. It also reported that an “air strike targeted a…

Summary

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