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

12 December 2016

Incident Code

CI370

Location

حي الفلاح, Mosul, al Falah, Nineveh, Iraq
According to survivors, eight civilians died in a reported 2 pm following an alleged Coalition strike on Hay al Falah. Buzzfeed journalist Mike Giglio met with survivors in Mosul in early 2017. he provided this account to Airwars: Eight civilian relatives of Nawal Fathi Khala, born 1954, also known as Um Ghassan. Leg wounds to…

Summary

Published
12 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 December 2016

Incident Code

CI368

Location

حي الفلاح, Mosul, Falah, Nineveh, Iraq
Eight to eleven civilians – including five children and 8 members of the same family – were killed by Coalition strikes in Mosul, according to local sources. According to Iraqi Spring, eight civilians from one family, including four children and two women were killed in Coalition airstrikes in the Al-Falah neighbourhood of eastern Mosul. Several…

Summary

Published
11 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 December 2016

Incident Code

CI369

Location

النور والتأميم, Mosul, Noor and Ta’mim, Nineveh, Iraq
Fifteen civilians were reported killed in fighting between ISIL and Iraqi forces. Said Noor Ahmed Halbusi, a doctor at a field hospital, told Anadolu he had received 15 bodies, including seven from one family. The civilians were killed in fighting between Iraqi forces and ISIL inside Mosul it said. Yaqein reported the same figures but…

Summary

Published
11 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 December 2016

Incident Code

CS411

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to eleven civilians died in a Coalition airstrike which at the time was also blamed on Russia and the Assad regime. However the Coalition has confirmed striking oil installations and tankers in the vicinity on this date, and killing five drivers. According to Ara News, “Unidentified warplanes shelling oil refineries in Badeyet Kisham killed…

Summary

Published
11 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–11
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 December 2016

Incident Code

CS412

Location

الكور, Al Kour, Raqqa, Syria
Reports emerged on December 15th of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of al Kour which killed three civilians. However the original source for the claim suggested that the event took place two days earlier. According to Abd al Basset Ahmad al Khalaf, head of the political committee for local Syrian tribes, Habib al…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 December 2016

Incident Code

CI367

Location

Al Ashwa, Nineveh, Iraq
A Coalition or Iraq government airstrike on a vehicle killed one civilian and injured others, according to a Human Rights Watch investigation. According to HRW a strike on a vehicle at al Ashwa, 80 kilometres from Mosul in December 2016 killed one civilian named and wounded 11 others. It said the apparently unlawful attack, in…

Summary

Published
10 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident