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

24 November 2016

Incident Code

CI349

Location

شارع الجزائر, Mosul, Algeria Street, Nineveh, Iraq
A single outlet, Iraqyoon News, cited local sources and reported on Facebook that four civil defence employees were killed by an alleged Coalition strike on Algeria Street in the east of Mosul. In a January 2nd 2017 statement which may refer to this or the previous event, the Coalition noted: Nov. 24, 2016, near Mosul,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CS392

Location

الكلي, Al Killi, Raqqa, Syria
Between four and six civilians reportedly died when the Coalition allegedly struck the funeral of two civilian males killed in the village of al Killi the day earlier. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, “4 women were killed and others wounded following a raid by the international coalition on a house in mourning in al…

Summary

Published
24 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2016

Incident Code

CS393

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two named cousins died in a reported Coalition airstrike on the vicinity of Raqqa. Deir Hafer al Hadath said that the men died when unsidentified warplanes targeted a ‘refugee camp’ near Raqqa.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 November 2016

Incident Code

CS389

Location

الكلي, Al Killi, Raqqa, Syria
Two brothers were killed and other civilians injured in a reported Coalition airstrike on al Killi. According to a local blogger the attack took place at 1am. A further three or more civilians reportedly died at the mens’ funerals the following day.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 November 2016

Incident Code

CS390

Location

قرية مراط, Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In confused reporting, both Russia and the Coalition were blamed for the deaths of between 4 and 5 civilians at Marat (see also the next report.) According to Euphrates Post (which like all sources did not attribute responsibility) the home of Thabet al Darwish was targeted by warplanes killing five family members: “two women and…

Summary

Published
23 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2016

Incident Code

CI347

Location

القادسية, Mosul, Qadishiyah and Zahra, Nineveh, Iraq
Shelling and airstrikes killed 6 civilians and 30 wounded in eastern Mosul, according to local reports. Reports in Iraq News Center and Al Jazeera referenced dead and wounded civilians in eastern Mosul but did not contain casualty figures. Iraqi Spring Media Center reported that 6 people died and 30 were injured in shelling in east…

Summary

Published
23 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident