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

7 January 2017

Incident Code

CI401

Location

ابن الهيثم, Mosul, ibn El Haithem new area, Nineveh, Iraq
Local and medical sources said that 12 civilians were killed and many others injured, mostly displaced women and children, in the locality of Ibn al-Haytham – new area of Mosul (the valley of the eye) due to Coalition airstrikes southeast of Mosul. Al Jazeera said that the Coalition strikes hit the area “where displaced families…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 January 2017

Incident Code

CS429

Location

الغضبان, Al Ghadban, Raqqa, Syria
At least four civilians died in a reported Coalition airstrike on al Ghadban in support of SDF ground forces. According to the Syrian Network, “four civilians, including two children, died when International Coalition warplanes missiles fired on Al Ghadban village.” LCCSY said six died. Baladi and Egypt Today were among all other sources who blamed…

Summary

Published
7 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2017

Incident Code

CS430

Location

كسرة شيخ (جمعة), Kasrat Sheikh (Juma'a), Raqqa, Syria
Up to five civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition drone strike on Kasret al Sheikh Kom’a. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, the attack “targeted a car belonging to a leader in Daesh whose name is Hussein Abu Zeid. He was on crutches.” Shaam News said five civilians died in the attack. According…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 January 2017

Incident Code

CS431

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as 19 civilians died following reported Coalition airstrikes on an oil market in central Khisham. The Euphrates Post initially reported six civilian deaths though later raised this to 14 civilians killed: “Coalition aircraft targeted the oil market in the town today with several raids. The first raid – at dawn – did not…

Summary

Published
7 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–19
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 January 2017

Incident Code

CI395

Location

حي الزراعي, Mosul, Agricultural, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources and relatives of victims said that more than 20 civilians from three families were killed, including children and women, after Coalition airstrikes targeted their houses in front of Saddam mosque at the entrance of Farms district, north of Mosul. Mosul Ateka reported that “18 people were killed in the Farms district after three…

Summary

Published
6 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
17–20
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 January 2017

Incident Code

CS426

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria
A reported unilateral US airstrike targeted and possibly killed Sheikh Yones Shoaib, aka Abu Hassan Taftanaz – a key leader of Fatah al-Sham. However his 15-year old son Hasan Younes Shoeaib also reportedly died, along with at least one other relative. The Syrian Observatory later questioned whether Sheikh Yones Shoaib in fact died. In June…

Summary

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