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

30 December 2016

Incident Code

CI381

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
An unnamed doctor at a local medical centre near Mosul told Iraqi Spring Media Centre that his facility had received 200 civilians over the preceding 24 hours, as a result of bombing and mortar shelling. In related news, Kurdistan’s health minister told reporters that health facilities in the region had so far received 13,000 injured…

Summary

Published
30 December 2016
Civilians reported injured
200
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2016

Incident Code

CI382

Location

وادي حجر, Mosul, Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in Wadi Hajar, Nineveh, Iraq
Eleven civilians were reported killed and up to 80 injured when Coalition aircraft allegedly struck the vicinity of the Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in the Wadi Hajar area of Mosul. Islamic State later issued a propaganda video which included eyewitness reports. One noted: After we heard the bombing of Khalid Bin Al Waleed we came…

Summary

Published
30 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
80
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI383

Location

الانتصار, Mosul, Intisar, Nineveh, Iraq

Summary

Published
30 December 2016
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2016

Incident Code

CS423

Location

دبسي عفنان, Debsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria
At least five civilians were killed and as many as 22 injured after Coalition aircraft allegedly bombed Debsi Afnan, a town 70km west of Raqqa city. Raialyaom News reported that “seven were killed including 3 children and 22 wounded including women and children with some in critical condition, due to coalition warplane strikes in Debsi…

Summary

Published
30 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
4–22
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2016

Incident Code

CI379

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that up to 41 civilians died and a further 143 were injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes on eastern Mosul neighbourhoods in support of a renewed push to capture the city from ISIL. Iraqi Spring placed the death toll at 41, while MNN said at least 30 died. In its February 2017 civilian…

Summary

Published
29 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
30–41
Civilians reported injured
143
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2016

Incident Code

CI380

Location

مستشفى ابن الاثير, Mosul, Ibn Al Athir Hospital, Nineveh, Iraq
According to several sources, at least 16 civilians killed following the alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the children’s hospital in Mosul. CENTCOM confirmed the incident the same day and announced an investigation. A number of ISIL fighters were reported killed along with between five and 16 civilians when the Coalition targeted a vehicle at Ibn al-Athir…

Summary

Published
29 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–16
Civilians reported injured
7–14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident