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

9 January 2017

Incident Code

CS435

Location

رقة السمرة, Raqqa al Samra, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians including a mother and daughter were reported killed in an alleged Coalition morning strike on Raqqa al Samra, east of Raqqa city. Euphrates Post cited local civilian sources as saying that “Coalition aircraft targeted with highly explosive rockets residential homes in Raqqa al Samra which caused the deaths of four civilians, including a…

Summary

Published
9 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
3–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 January 2017

Incident Code

CS436

Location

كبش, Kabish, Raqqa, Syria
Up to three civilians died during a battle for control of Kabish. While most sources blamed SDF artillery, one claimed that the US-led Coalition was responsible for the deaths. A single source, Eldorar, reported that three civilians died in an alleged Coalition strike on Kabish. However according to Raqqa Post, one victim, Sadeq Qassem, was…

Summary

Published
9 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 January 2017

Incident Code

CI409

Location

Mosul, Baladiyat / Al Sukkar, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians in an event in northeast Mosul. The event was later confirmed as a British airstrike. In its May 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: "During a strike which destroyed Daesh vehicle-borne improvised explosive device used to attack…

Summary

Published
9 January 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 January 2017

Incident Code

CI403

Location

حي الحدباء, Mosul, Al-Hadba, Nineveh, Iraq
One civilian was reported killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes that targeted an ISIL member in a civilian vehicle, in the Hadbah neihbourhood in the northeast of Mosul.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 January 2017

Incident Code

CI404

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East Side, Nineveh, Iraq
Local reports say that the streets in eastern Mosul were covered by the bodies of dozens of civilians – their deaths caused by Coalition airstrikes and heavy artillery. Fighting was particularly intense in the Sugar Hill and Muthanna neighborhoods. Alaraby reported that fighting and airstrikes by the Coalition forces and Iraqi forces killed and wounded…

Summary

Published
8 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
50
Civilians reported injured
60
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 January 2017

Incident Code

CI405

Location

حي السكر, Mosul, Sukkar, Nineveh, Iraq
Local reports indicated that shelling struck civilian homes in Sukkar, Talla and Mufthana neighborhoods in eastern Mosul, “resulting in the burying of dozens of civilians under the rubble,” according to an account in a report by Iraqi Spring Media Center. Ajel el Mosul later released a video it said related to the incident, claiming that…

Summary

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