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

8,224 – 13,303

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 2,988 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,368
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,907
likely injured
3,763
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
19,187 – 29,772
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,988 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,224 – 13,303
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,541 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
7,871 – 12,566
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
779 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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2986 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date
9 May 2017

Incident Code

CI699

Location

الموصل: الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zanjili, Nineveh, Iraq
Local press sources reported that ‘dozens of civilians were killed and injured’ in raids by the Iraqi government and/or the Coalition on Zanjili neighboordhood, in West Mosul. Yaqein Agency spoke of “heavy and indiscriminate shelling”. No further details are presently available.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI700

Location

الرفاعي, Mosul, Rifae, Nineveh, Iraq
A father and son were caught in a bombing in western Mosul, according to local reports. Several sources, including Sawlf Ateka, reported that Dr. Nuri Saeed al-Rawaji was killed along with his son Omar in the Rifae neighborhood of western Mosul. Ajel Al Mosul blamed their deaths on Iraq security forces, as did Yaqein, which…

Summary

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

Incident Codes

CI703

Location

July 17 neighbourhood, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
A single local source – a relative of the victim – said on Facebook that her cousin Laith Azhar Saadallah al-Obeidi died after an airstrike hit his house in July 17 neighbourhood in West Mosul. “My cousin was martyred on Monday. Laith Azhar Saadallah al-Obeidi, after he was hit on his house on July 17,…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI701

Location

عنة والقائم, Al Qaim and Anah, Al Anbar, Iraq
At least 27 civilians were reportedly killed and dozens wounded by airstrikes in Anbar province, according to local sources. Iraqi Spring Media Center said that 27 civilians were killed and 50 wounded in strikes on the towns of Anah and Al Qaim, in western Anbar. Yaqein put the death toll at 38 – “mostly civilians”…

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
27–37
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
9 May 2017

Incident Code

CI702

Location

مشيرفة, Mosul, Meshrfa, Nineveh, Iraq
A girl and a man were killed by mortar fire in western Mosul, according to local reports. Sawlf Ateka posted on Facebook that a girl named Rama was killed by a mortar which landed on their home in the Meshrfa neighborhood of western Mosul. The attack wounded “all members of her family” as well. Separately,…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS789

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
A child died and up to eight others were killed or wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Mansoura village, according to local media. The alliance later accepted responsibility for one death. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said an air raid “targeted the house of Mahmoud al Yatim" killing a child. The source didn’t say…

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident