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

8,249 – 13,342

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 3,003 separate alleged incidents.

1,728 – 2,371
children likely killed
1,127 – 1,468
women likely killed
5,930
likely injured
3,784
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,457

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 364 separate incidents of civilian harm.

411
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,217 – 29,816
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
3,003 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,249 – 13,342
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,553 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,397 – 2,821
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
435 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,877 – 12,576
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
783 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
694 – 1,077
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
232 seperate alleged incidents
2996 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

27 December 2016

Incident Code

CI378

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Up to 20 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strikes on Mosul according to local sources. Yaqein reported that international alliance air raids targeted the Al Faisaliah, Alqosjat and Aldndan areas in Mosul, killing 20 civilians and wounding four others. Iraqi Spring Media centre placed the death toll at 19. One victim was named…

Summary

Published
27 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
19–20
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2016

Incident Code

CI377

Location

حي القدس, Mosul, Qudis, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents told Airwars researchers that an entire family was killed following alleged Coalition air strikes on their house in Qudis neighbourhood in East Mosul, in the afternoon of December 26th 2016. This was reported in an interview with two witnesses, on June 9th 2017. The two witnesses, Ala Samir Ahmed and Ali Abdulrazaq, said that…

Summary

Published
26 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 December 2016

Incident Code

CI376

Location

البعاج, Al Baaj, Nineveh, Iraq
Local media and the area’s MP reported that 20 civilians were killed and 55 injured after unknown aircraft targeted Al Baaj city west of Mosul. According to Zahid Kotuna, the elected MP for the area, an unknown warplane carried out a fierce air strike on the densely populated civilian town of Baaj 140 km west…

Summary

Published
25 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
55
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 December 2016

Incident Codes

CS420 TS030

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between 20 and 25 civilians died in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) raid on al Bab. According to ISIS’s media wing, “Turkish planes committed a new massacre in al Bab for the second day running – initial toll of 20 dead.” Umayya reported the death toll as being possibly even higher than 25: "The…

Summary

Published
23 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
20–25
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 December 2016

Incident Code

CS421

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria
An adult civilian male named as Awwad Al-Thallaj died when his vehicle was struck in a reported Coaltion airstrike at al Tabaqa. Raqqa is being Slaughtered noted the “Martyrdom of Awwad Al-Thallaj due to coalition warplanes shelling targeted his car near the Euphrate Damn near Tabaqa.” In an emailed response to a report submitted by…

Summary

Published
23 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 December 2016

Incident Code

CS422

Location

سويدية صغيرة, Sweidah Sagheer, Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians were reported killed and two or more injued following an alleged Coalition strike on Sweida Sagheer. Revolutionary Forces of Syria reported that “According to activists, a coalition raid in Sweida Sagheer killed three civilians and wounded others.” While other sources mentioned Coalition strikes on the village, none refered to civilian casualties. In an…

Summary

Published
23 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident