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

8,220 – 13,294

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 2,984 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,904
likely injured
3,757
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,454

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 360 separate incidents of civilian harm.

402
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,182 – 29,761
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,220 – 13,294
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,538 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,391 – 2,815
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
434 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,870 – 12,564
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
778 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
696 – 1,083
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
233 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

CI796

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Two local sources reported the death of a young man, called Hakam Marwan Ghazi, after air strikes were said to have hit him the day before. His body was still under the rubble – and his family were not yet able to bury him. Sawlf Ateka (local Facebook page) later reported that Mohammed Sharif (Abu…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

CI797

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local medical sources reported that civil defense teams had pulled as many as 74 bodies from the rubble in Zanjili neighbourhood (West/Old Mosul). The civilians had died as a result of different kinds of shelling on their houses. Airwars researchers contacted local medical sources, who said a total number of 74 civilians were killed. This…

Summary

Published
2 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
74
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

CI798

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
One woman died and others were injured after a suspected Coalition airstrike destroyed a house. As Associated Press reported: “Iraqi forces have repeatedly requested airstrikes in Mosul, often to kill teams of just two or three IS fighters armed with light weapons. Manhal Munir was sheltering in the basement of his home with his extended…

Summary

Published
2 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

CI799

Location

سوق الشعارين, Mosul, Sha'areen, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources said that three named civilians were killed – with others injured and still trapped in rubble – after their home was struck in the Sha’areen market area of Old Mosul. The Nineveh Librate Facebook page initially noted “The martyr and nurse Nabil Younis Said (Abu Saif) who died with his son’s wife. And…

Summary

Published
2 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1143

Location

الرقة‎, Al Kasrat or Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed in Raqqa. However there were conflicting reports as to how he died. Four of the seven sources reporting the incident alleged that the death was caused by SDF sniper fire. Meanwhile two sources claimed that Coalition airstrikes were to blame. One further source claimed that artillery fire was responsible, which…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1140

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Mayadin, local sources reported. Of the three sources who documented the airstrike, only Jisr TV alleged that the Coalition was responsible, noting that “In the eastern countryside.. International coalition fighter jets launched air strikes on the outskirts of the Mayadeen, killing a civilian.” The…

Summary

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