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

3 January 2017

Incident Code

CI387

Location

حي النور, Mosul, Noor, Nineveh, Iraq
Yaqein reported that one civilian was killed and 11 injured in the Noor neighborhood of eastern Mosul. It cited “government and international” strikes. Iraqi Spring Media Center meanwhile reported that 9 civilians were injured in addition to the one death. Among the injured were women and children. Sawlif Maslawia Ateka and Adhamiyah News named two children that reportedly…

Summary

Published
3 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
9–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 January 2017

Incident Code

CS425

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
A major US airstrike on an al Nusra Front headquarters – a unilateral action – killed a significant number of militants. However, up to 26 Free Syrian Army prisoners held in the building were also reported killed, along with three children. The US admitted responsibility for just one civilian death three years later. Fatah al…

Summary

Published
3 January 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 January 2017

Incident Code

CI388

Location

دوميز, Mosul, Domiz, Nineveh, Iraq
Five civilians were killed and four injured in the Domiz neighbourhood of Mosul, according to local media. A local source told Shafaaq news that an “unidentified warplane” opened fire from its on-board machine gun in the neighbourhood in south-east Mosul. The story was also reported by Nineveh Media Center, confirming the death of five and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 January 2017

Incident Code

CI384

Location

الهرمات, Mosul, Haramat, Nineveh, Iraq
Four women and two or more children were killed and eight other civilians injured by Coalition strikes, according to local reports. Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that the women were killed and injured by Coalition strikes that hit a home in Haramat in eastern Mosul. ISIL-controlled Al A’amaq Media posted a video of the aftermath,…

Summary

Published
2 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI385

Location

Mosul, Mushirfan, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on April 1st 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “(2.) Jan. 2, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in…

Summary

Published
2 January 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 January 2017

Incident Code

CS424

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
Targeted air or drone strikes – most likely unilateral US actions – reportedly killed two high ranking militants along with a number of fighters. However sources also claimed there were civilian casualties. There were two reported evening attacks. In the first, a car was destroyed on the Sarmada-Bab al Hawa road, killing four people inside.…

Summary

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