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

5 January 2017

Incident Code

CI394

Location

حي المثنى, Mosul, Muthanna, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said two named civilians (a father and son) were killed after a missile targeted their house in the left side of Mosul. Mosul Ateka reported that “a missile fell down just beside Haj Dahir which caused his death and that of his son Zakariah.” Iraqyoon News and Resistance Hadbah also reported Coalition airstrikes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 January 2017

Incident Code

CI391

Location

حي الميثاق, Mosul, Al-Mithaq, Nineveh, Iraq
Five members of the same family were killed when a Coalition airstrike hit a house in Al Mithaq, according to local sources. Sualif Maslawiah Aneefa posted that five members of Khalid Mustafa Abu Wadah’s family were killed when bombs struck his home as ISIL fighters hid inside, preventing the family from leaving. The post identified…

Summary

Published
5 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 January 2017

Incident Code

CS4254a

Location

مزرعة الرشيد, Al Rashid Farm, Raqqa, Syria
In a series of raids on the towns of Rashid and Aweij in the countryside of Raqqa, an alleged Coalition airstrike struck Al Rashid Farm. Four civilians were reported killed in strike, including a woman, and six others were wounded. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 January 2017

Incident Code

CI389

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz/ July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
Press and local sources said that 16 displaced civilians were killed or injured, mostly children and women, after Coalition warplanes targeted their houses in 17 July neighbourhood, at the right side of Mosul. The Correspondences team spoke of 9 killed and several wounded in the alleged Coalition strikes. Other sources also reported coalition strikes in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 January 2017

Incident Code

CI390

Location

حي المزارع, Mosul, Mazari / Farms, Nineveh, Iraq
A local source said that a named civilian, Imad Ahmed, was killed in the bombing of Farms district, north of Mosul. No other details were known at the time. On March 4th the Coalition confirmed that it had killed civilians that day in Mosul in two incidents. An official later confirmed to Airwars that the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 January 2017

Incident Code

CI386

Location

Mosul, Ma’moon, Nineveh, Iraq
As many as 22 civilians were reported killed, and 29 injured, in airstrikes by an unspecified party in eastern Mosul according to local media. Citing a local source, Shafaaq reported that five people were killed and four others wounded after an “unidentified warplane” opened fire from it’s “machine gun” in southeast Mosul. One relative posted…

Summary

Published
3 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
15–22
Civilians reported injured
29
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident