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

9 November 2016

Incident Code

CS369

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was killed and several injured due to a Coalition attack, according to a local source. Step News Agency reported that a Coalition raid at dawn “targeting the IS security perimeter in the city of Raqqa” killed one civilian and wounded others “including women and children.”  

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 November 2016

Incident Code

CI329

Location

حي العسكري, Mosul, Askari, Nineveh, Iraq
Four civilians were killed followed an alleged Coalition strike, according to one local source. Hakaek reported that a family of four were killed in a Coalition strike in Mosul. It said strikes hit their home in the Al Askari neighbourhood. A source told Hakaek that ISIL fighters were not in the vicinity at the time.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 November 2016

Incident Code

CI330

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Grain warehouse, Nineveh, Iraq
According to local and press sources that 5 civilians were killed followed an alleged US-led coalition air force shelled the grain warehouse and killed the guard family in Mosul. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 November 2016

Incident Code

CS365

Location

الهيشةة, Al Hīshah, Raqqa, Syria
As many as 24 civilians were killed in attacks – possibly carried out by both SDF and Coalition – according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered initially reported 7 victims killed “in the international coalition raids and Kurdish militia artillery.” It later released an updated casualty assessment, counting 23 victims as victims of…

Summary

Published
8 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
17–24
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2016

Incident Code

CS366

Location

الكالطة, Qaltah, Raqqa, Syria
Two children were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a tractor at Qaltah. The source appeared to be ISIL media arm Al A’amaq. Al Jazeera said five civilians in total died – though suggested some of the deaths occured elsewhere. Qassioun stated that “fighter jets of the international coalition launched a massive air…

Summary

Published
8 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2016

Incident Code

CS367

Location

تل السمن, Tall al Samin, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and four injured following an alleged Coaliiton strike on Tal al Samin. According to Qasioun, “Coalition planes also raided the village of Tal Samin in the northern city of Raqqa, killing a civilian and wounding four others.” While no other sources alleged civilian deaths, heavy fighting in the vicinity between…

Summary

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