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

16 December 2016

Incident Codes

CS416 TS024

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between eleven and 15 civilians were reported killed in a Turkish (or less likely Coalition) action at al Bab. According to LCCSY eleven civilians died, “most of them killed in Coalition raids on al Bab.”However, the source had consistently denied civilian harm from Turkish actions during the al-Bab campaign. Al Bab News reported “more than…

Summary

Published
16 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
11–15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 December 2016

Incident Code

CI373

Location

أحياء النور والفلاح والقدس شر, Mosul, Northeast, Nineveh, Iraq
More than a dozen civilians – and possibly more than 40 – were reported killed in eastern Mosul. Yaqein reported that 15 civilians were killed by a missile on the east side of Mosul, all from the same family – though a source it cited put the death toll lower, at 12. It did not…

Summary

Published
15 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
12–40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 December 2016

Incident Code

CI372

Location

حي السكر, Mosul, Sukkar, Nineveh, Iraq
Four civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Coalition strike on al Sukkar, survivors told the US news magazine Buzzfeed. The alliance later accepted responsibility for the incident. Buzzfeed met with survivors in mid-2017, with the outlet later sharing its incident notes with Airwars: Eyewitness told journalist Mike Giglio when he met him at his…

Summary

Published
14 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 December 2016

Incident Code

CI371

Location

حي السكر, Mosul, Sukkar, Nineveh, Iraq
According to local sources, up to 17 people were killed as a result of airstrikes on their homes in the Sukkar (Sugar) district, Mosul. The bodies were pulled from the rubble on January 8th, 2017. Airwars contacted the Canadian-based elder brother of the family, who provided 11 names, photos and ages of eleven victims. All…

Summary

Published
13 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
11–17
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2016

Incident Codes

CS413 TS020

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Twelve civilians were killed and up to 30 injured at al Bab in what local sources claimed was a ‘Coalition’ strike, but which may have been a result of Turkish-ISIS fighting. Al A'maq, ISIS’s media wing, reported “12 dead and 30 injured, most of them women and children, following violent Turkish shelling with more than…

Summary

Published
12 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
20–30
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2016

Incident Codes

CS414 RS1788

Location

الرقة‎, al Dalla roundabout, Raqqa, Syria
A heavy air raid on Ar Raqqah left up to 36 civilians dead according to multiple reports. While most blamed Russia, there were some claims that the US-led Coalition was responsible. It has since denied involvement. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, the afternoon raids were concentrated mainly near the city’s al Dalla roundabout. Euphrates…

Summary

Published
12 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
18–36
Civilians reported injured
12–60
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident