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

14 November 2016

Incident Code

CI337

Location

حي الزهراء, Mosul, Sheshan and Zahrah, Nineveh, Iraq
Airwars researcher met the three injured named kids at the evacuation centre in Goggali frontline east of Mosul after they submitted to Unknown fire in Sheshan and Zahrah neighbourhoods east of Mosul. In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 November 2016

Incident Code

CI338

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian near Tal Afar, Iraq. Their March 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "Nov. 14, 2016, near Tal Afar, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS checkpoint it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when the vehicle…

Summary

Published
14 November 2016
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2016

Incident Code

CI334

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
A coalition airstrike allegedly killed three civilians in Seada village in western Anbar, According to multiple sources. Several local outlets reported the deaths of three civilians from Coalition bombings. Al Qiam news named two victims as.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 November 2016

Incident Code

CI335

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Five people, including 3 children and a woman, were killed following the alleged Coalition airstrike according to local accounts, including ISIL-controlled media. ISIL controlled Al-A’amaq reported that US airstrikes killed three children and a woman and a man, and a further eight children and four women were injured. More than five other reports, including one by the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 November 2016

Incident Code

CI336

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East, Nineveh, Iraq
A father told the Norwegian Refugee Council that 3 family members were killed and mother and 2 children were badly burnt when their home in Eastern Mosul was shelled. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 November 2016

Incident Codes

TS007 CS371

Location

مدينة الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
One or two civilians were reported killed and three injured in ‘Coalition’ strikes on Al Bab. However, other reports claimed that Turkey and its FSA allies may have been responsible. Sky News reported that Turkish tanks were advancing on Al Bab, while France 24 described Turkish airstrikes on the city. Reporting casualties, Halab News said…

Summary

Published
13 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident