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

18 November 2016

Incident Code

CI344

Location

حي التنك, Mosul, Tanak, Nineveh, Iraq
More than 20 civilians were killed or wounded in Mosul following the alleged coalition airstrike, according to local sources. An initial report from ISIL-controlled Al A’amaq said that 7 people died and 14 injured in a Coalition bombing on the Al Tanak neighbourhood of Mosul. Other outlets released similar figures. Iraqi Spring Media Center blamed…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2016

Incident Code

CS379

Location

باتبو, Batabo, Aleppo, Syria
A unilateral US airstrike on a Fatah al Sham leader may also have killed up to three members of his immediate family. The Syrian Observatory initially reported that “an unidentified plane – it’s not clear whether international coalition or Russian – targeted a car carrying several people near the town of Batabo in the western…

Summary

Published
18 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17–18 November, 2016

Incident Code

CI342

Location

حي عدن, Mosul, Aden, Nineveh, Iraq
Local reports and an eyewitness inside east Mosul said up to 24 civilians from four families who had been gathered in one room within a three-story house, were killed in Aden Quarter by an alleged Coalition airstrike at 2.30pm during the main offensive by Iraqi security forces. Iraqi reporter Majid Sharif noted on the day…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–24
Civilians reported injured
12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

CS378

Location

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Raqqa, Syria
Between three and seven civilians were reported killed along with a number of ISIL fighters following alleged Coalition airstrikes. Raqqa Post reported that “civilians were killed along with IS members after raids on the village of Hazima. The operation of pulling out victims from under the rubble has been delayed due to continuing Coalition flights…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 November 2016

Incident Code

CI341

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq
Shelling killed and wounded civilians in eastern Mosul, according to local sources. Iraq News Center reported shelling from both ISIL and government forces affected civilians in eastern Mosul. Zyaad Al Senjary posted that the mutual bombardment had resulted in a massive number of casualties among civilians. Rudaw TV meanwhile reported that ten civilians were killed,…

Summary

Published
16 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 November 2016

Incident Code

CS375

Location

شنينة, Shanina (and al Rihat, Ba’as and Abu Hassan), Raqqa, Syria
Seven civilians were reported killed and 15 injured following reported Coalition strikes on three villages to the north of Raqqa. Although multiple sources noted the raids, only Smart news alleged civilian casualties.  

Summary

Published
16 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident