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

Declassified Document

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2983 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date
11 May 2017

Incident Code

CI705

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, West / Right side, Nineveh, Iraq
Local press sources reported, based on a claim by Al Amaq [ISIL] press, that 46 civilians were killed and 76 injured by different forms of shelling and airstrikes by the Joint Forces on the neighbourhoods in West Mosul that were still under ISIL control. While some sources blamed the US or the Coalition for the…

Summary

Published
11 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
46
Civilians reported injured
76
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
11 May 2017

Incident Code

CI707

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq
Residents of West Mosul and local press sources reported that a named civilian – Khaled Nafie Hassan – was killed by mortar shelling on his house in Rifai neighbourhood, West Mosul. He used to work as a health worker/ nurse. It is unclear who was responsible for the raids. Moreover, Ahrar Ninawa (local Facebook group)…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS801

Location

حمرة بلاسم, Hamra Blassem, Raqqa, Syria
Three named civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hamra Blassem, according to local media. Smart News reported that there were clashes at the village that day between ISIL and advancing SDF forces. Al Raqqa Truth named three victims. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also put the death toll at three – and…

Summary

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

Incident Codes

CS802 RS2224

Location

مزرعة القادسية, Al Qadissiya, Raqqa, Syria
As many as three civilians died in an airstrike on Al Qadissiya village - including one adult male - according to local sources. There were reports of multiple strikes on the village. The allegations were against both the Coalition and Russian warplanes. A number of other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. Only one source…

Summary

Published
11 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
11 May 2017

Incident Code

CS803

Location

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Four civilians from the same family died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Markada, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently was among some sources which specifically blamed “American raids”. Saladingate reported that the Coalition strike “destroyed the home of a doctor, Abdul Karim In addition to a house belonging to the Mdulul…

Summary

Published
11 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Code

CS804

Location

near Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Summary

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