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

3 December 2016

Incident Code

CI360

Location

حي النور, Mosul, Noor, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian near Mosul. Their February 2017 civilian casualty report noted "During a strike on ISIL fighters firing a mortar on partnered forces it is assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed." The incident appears to refer to an event at…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 December 2016

Incident Code

CI358

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Fifteen civilians were reported killed and 8 wounded in an alleged Coalition raid, according to local sources. Yaqein said that 15 civilians, including women and children, were killed in a Coalition strike that hit homes. Iraqi Spring Media Center also reported that 15 civilians were killed and that 8 were injured. They too blamed the…

Summary

Published
1 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2016

Incident Code

CI354

Location

راوة, Rawa [exact location], Al Anbar, Iraq
At least 10 members of one family were reported killed by an alleged Coalition raid, according to local sources. Iraqi Spring reported that a man, a woman and 8 children from a single family were killed by a Coalition attack on civilian homes in Rawa. Several other outlets also reported between 9-10 dead from the…

Summary

Published
29 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2016

Incident Code

CI355

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, South, Nineveh, Iraq
Sixteen civilians, including women and children, were killed in the alleged Coalition raid in the south of Mosul, according to a single source – Iraqi Spring Media Center. Amsiraq published pictures of damaged buildings in south Iraq which it said had been caused by Coalition and government shelling. There was no mention of civilian casualties.…

Summary

Published
29 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
16
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2016

Incident Code

CI356

Location

الصناعة, Mosul, industrial district, Nineveh, Iraq
According to one or two sources reported that civilians were killed or injured by targeting industry neighbourhood inside Mosul followed the alleged Coalition airstrikes. Other sources said the casualties occurred were amongst ISIL fighters. No additional details are presently known. In their June 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for…

Summary

Published
29 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2016

Incident Code

CI357

Location

Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of three civilians near Mosul. Their January 2017 civilian casualty report noted "During a strike on ISIL fighters it is assessed that three civilians were unintentionally killed when they entered the target area just prior to the munition’s impact." This incident may…

Summary

Published
29 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident