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

29 June 2017

Incident Code

CI790

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents and press sources said that at least 80 civilians were killed and others injured – mostly children and women – after shelling and airstrikes hit their houses near the Al Nouri Mosque in the ongoing battle for the liberation of Old Mosul. Half of the civilians died as a result of air strikes,…

Summary

Published
29 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
40–82
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2017

Incident Code

CI791

Location

الموصل القديمة, Mosul, Old City (Sultan Nuts Factory), Nineveh, Iraq
A single local source, the Nineveh Media center, said that multiple families were still under the rubble after air strikes had hit the Sultan Nuts factory in Old Mosul. The Center called upon everyone who read the post, to help save these families. Reportedly, elderly people were also among the victims. It is presently unclear…

Summary

Published
29 June 2017
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2017

Incident Code

CI792

Location

باب لكش, Mosul, Bab Lakash, Nineveh, Iraq
A single local source reported that six civilians from the same family died after air strikes hit their house in Bab Lakash, in Old Mosul. A senior Coalition official informed Airwars on July 5th that “It is primarily Coalition aircraft conducting AIR strikes in Mosul. It has been a number of weeks since the Iraqis…

Summary

Published
29 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1123

Location

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A girl was killed and up to 20 others were injured in airstrikes on Mahkan, however claims concerning who was responsible were contested. News Jorf claimed that the Coalition was responsible, meanwhile, Baladi News alleged that the Syrian government was responsible. The remaining eight sources reporting the incident did not make any claims as with…

Summary

Published
29 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1124

Location

مراط, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian male was killed in airstrikes on the village of Mrat, in eastern Deir Ezzor, however it was not clear who was responsible. One source, JP News, alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Meanwhile, three sources alleged that Russian warplanes were behind the airstrikes. Seven sources did not make any claims about responsibility or…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1117

Location

الطيانة, Al Tayyana, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least one civilian male, but possibly as many as two, died in airstrikes on Al Tayyana, according to local media – though it was initially unclear whether the Coalition or Russia was responsible. The US-led alliance accepted responsibility in September 2017. Five sources reported that only one fatality was caused by the airstrikes, however…

Summary

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