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

8,222 – 13,299

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 2,985 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,906
likely injured
3,760
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
19,184 – 29,766
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,985 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,222 – 13,299
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,539 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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2983 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date
21 May 2017

Incident Code

CI727

Location

الموصل: غرب, Mosul, West, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that seventy civilians were killed or injured as a result of artillery and missile shelling on several neighborhoods in West Mosul. While two sources said it was the work of the Iraqi government, @Sonawa1 mentioned ‘shelling’ in general. Presently no further details are known.

Summary

Published
21 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–30
Civilians reported injured
10–40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
21 May 2017

Incident Code

CS848

Location

Kadiran, Raqqa, Syria
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 Raqqa, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “108. May 22, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media report: After a review of available information it was assessed…

Summary

Published
21 May 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
20 May 2017

Incident Code

CI726

Location

الشفاء, Mosul, Al-Shafaa, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that twenty civilians, including one woman, were killed and dozens were injured in heavy airstrikes on Shifa neighbourhood in West Mosul. A journalist had informed Yaqein that: “the bombing caused the deaths of more than twenty civilians [who were] burned in their homes, mostly women and children” and that “the shelling caused…

Summary

Published
20 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
19 May 2017

Incident Code

CS840

Location

سهلة البنات, Sahlab al Banat, Raqqa, Syria
According to Al Raqqa Truth, “Abdel Rahman Najjar was martyred while being displaced in coalition raids on Sahlat al Banat yesterday. A number of people were injured in his family. They are from al Mashlab neighbourhood.” The victim was also named by Raqqa Maydaniya, who blamed the Coalition for his death. Osama Abdallah posted confirmation…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS841

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. Three victims from Palmyra, said to have been killed in a Coalition strike, were named by the Violations Documentation Center.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI725

Location

near Mosul, Iraq, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, on July 7th 2017 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on social media claims of civilian harm “near Mosul, Iraq”. According to the Coalition report, “112. May 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and…

Summary

Published
19 May 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident