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

10 January 2017

Incident Code

CI410

Location

حي الحدباء, Mosul, Al-Hadba, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that unspecified air raids targeted Hadbah neighborhood, northeast of Mosul. Iraqi Spring Media Center said that “three raids targeted the densely populated neighborhood of Hadbah on the left side of Mosul.” It did not say how many people died. Mosul Ateka said that Sinan Abdel-Islam was killed in the raids, with a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 January 2017

Incident Code

CI411

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
In a previously unknown incident or incidents, the Coalition concluded after self-reporting by personnel that no civilians had been killed or injured in Coalition strikes on Mosul on January 10th. According to a March 4th statement, two separate incidents of concern occurred. In the first it was assessed that “no civilians were harmed in this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9–10 January, 2017

Incident Code

CI407

Location

حي الضباط, Mosul, Dhubat / Officers, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that three named civilians were killed after alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted near a medical centre in the Officers neighbourhood near the Fourth Bridge. Mosul Ateka named Dr. Mohammed Tayyip ِِAl Leyla, former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and his wife, Dr. Fatima Alhyial and their young daughter as victims of the…

Summary

Published
9 January 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 January 2017

Incident Code

CI408

Location

حي المثنى, Mosul, Muthana, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources and relatives of victims said that Coalition airstrikes targeted a family house in Muthanna neighborhood northeast of Mosul. The raids reportedly killed a named civilian (53) with his mother (81) who could not leave her house due to her sickness while the son refused to abandon her. Alaraby named Omar Abdel-Hamid al-Hamdani and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 January 2017

Incident Code

CS433

Location

هتاش, Hattash, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians were reported killed and two others injured following an alleged Coalition strike on Hattash. According to Euphrates Post, “Coalition aircraft caused the deaths of four other [civilians] last night, a result of four air raids targeting the village of Hattash which is under the control of Islamic state in eastern Raqqa, which also…

Summary

Published
9 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 January 2017

Incident Code

CS434

Location

حرملة, Harmala, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians were reported killed and two others injured following an alleged Coalition strike on Harmala. The Shaam News Network reported that “international coalition planes launched air raids near Harmala village north west of Raqqa which led to the deaths of four martyrs and a number of wounded.” All other sources, including the Syrian Observatory…

Summary

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