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

6 December 2016

Incident Code

CS406

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria
Three civilians reportedly died and three were injured in an alleged Coalition strike at al Tabaqa. The victims were said to be from Qaryatain in Homs, with Step News, Shaam News Network and Euphrates Post reporting that they died while collecting wood. Syria News Desk instead said the trio died when homes were struck. In…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 December 2016

Incident Code

CS402

Location

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Raqqa, Syria
A woman was reported killed and several injured during an alleged Coalition strike on al Hazima. According to LCCSY, “international coalition warplanes target the town of #Hazima to the north of the city where a civilian was martyred and several others were injured.” In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this…

Summary

Published
5 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 December 2016

Incident Code

CS403

Location

الجرنية, Al Jarnia, Raqqa, Syria
A reported Coalition airstrike on the local water company killed at least five workers, according to sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered reported that “three people working at the water company in al Jarnia – one of them the water manager – were killed in international coalition raids targeting the company today.” Baladi News placed the…

Summary

Published
5 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
10–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 December 2016

Incident Code

CI361

Location

حي المهندسين, Mosul, Al-Muhandisin/Engineers, Nineveh, Iraq
Two civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition strikes in Mosul, according to local sources. Nineveh MC reported that one civilian – a father of four – was killed in his home by a Coalition raid: Coalition aircraft targeted a house controlled by ISIL in the Aldoassh neighbourhood during the preparation of their criminal operations.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 December 2016

Incident Code

CS401

Location

كبش غربي, Kabish Gharbi, Raqqa, Syria
A single source reported civilian casualties following an alleged Coalition raid at Khabish Gharbi. According to Smart News, “one civilian was killed and others wounded in coalition raids on the village of Kabish Gharbi north of Raqqa.” In an emailed response to a report submitted by Airwars on this and other incidents in December 2016,…

Summary

Published
4 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 December 2016

Incident Code

CI359

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
At least nine civilians, including women and children, were reported killed and several others wounded due to an alleged Coalition strikes, according to several local sources. Yaqein reported that the Coalition killed 21 civilians, mostly women and children and wounded ten others included 7 children. A source told Yaqein that “the bombing focused on the areas…

Summary

Published
3 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–21
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident