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
14 May 2017

Incident Code

CI711

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
Two local sources reported that heavy shelling with mortars, artillery and missiles hit the 17 July neighbourhood in West Mosul. The violence reportedly led to the death of Alaa Abdel Moneim Hussein al-Nuaimi – also called Abu ‘Ala – who was married and had three children. He died after a mortar landed on his house…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI712

Location

near Mosul, Iraq, Iraq

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS825

Location

near Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS821

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child was reportedly injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike targeting ISIL fighters in the “Old Corniche” area in the city of Abu Kamal, according to local sources.

Summary

Published
14 May 2017
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
13 May 2017

Incident Code

CS811

Location

حويقة, Hweika, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three named civilians died in an airstrike on a home in Hweika, according to local media. No sources pointed directly at the Coalition, with the majority referring to unidentified “warplanes.” Other reports, however, attributed the event to the Assad regime or Russia. The Euphrates Post reported the death of two civilians following a raid by…

Summary

Published
13 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
13 May 2017

Incident Code

CS812

Location

السحل, Al Sahel, Raqqa, Syria
One or two civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al-Sahel, according to local media. Baladi, Syrianpc and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights all blamed the Coalition for the death of one non-combatant. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered named a victim as Ahmad Mustafa Al-Haji Al-Hamid but didn’t say who was responsible for his…

Summary

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