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

Search

2981 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CI795

Location

النبي جرجيس, Mosul, Nabi Jarjis, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources quoted witnesses as saying that an entire family – consisting of nine people – died after airstrikes hit their houses in the Nabi Jarjis area of Old Mosul. Iraq News and others said that there were women and children among the dead. The sources did not say who had carried out the…

Summary

Published
1 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Code

CS1139

Location

جامع الصفا, near the Al-Safa Mosque, Al Dar'ia, Raqqa, Syria
Sources reported that up to 18 civilians, including several women and children, were killed in alleged Coalition air and artillery strikes on the Al Dar’yra neighbourhood of Raqqa, near the Al Safa Mosque. All 18 sources reporting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. A number of the dead were buried under the rubble…

Summary

Published
1 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–14
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1128

Location

كسرة محمد علي, Kasrat Mohhamed Ali, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male was killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the village of Kasrat Muhammed Ali to the south of Raqqa, local sources reported. All five sources documenting the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible.

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1129

Location

عكيرشي, `Ukayrishah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilian males were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on `Ukayrishah to the south of Raqqa, local sources reported. Two sources, Baladi News and @24Raqqa, reported that the village was struck by an unmanned drone that was targeting an ISIL vehicle which was fleeing a nearby battle in Afnan. A number of sources said that…

Summary

Published
30 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1130

Location

الدشيشة, Al Dashaisha, Al Hassakah, Syria
One or two civilians died and four were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Dashasisha village, according to local sources. Baladi – blaming the Coalition – put the death toll at one, with more wounded. According to Zaman Alwasl, “Coalition aircraft bombed an Islamic State prison in the town of Dashaisha east of…

Summary

Published
30 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2017

Incident Code

CI793

Location

الفاروق, Mosul, Farouk, Nineveh, Iraq
A local Facebook page and a resident said that one young man named Ahmed Hikmat al-Tai was killed and many families were still under the rubble after air strikes hit the Farouk area (near the Jewish area) in Old Mosul. Local resident Noor Alniamy called for help for several families in the Farouk area, saying…

Summary

Published
30 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident