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

8 November 2016

Incident Code

CI328

Location

السلام, Mosul, Al Salam, Nineveh, Iraq
In the afternoon of 8 November, an airstrike reportedly hit al-Salam neighbourhood of eastern Mosul City killing 14 civilians, including three children and five women, and wounding another 11 civilians, including two women and a child. No additional details are presently known. In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that…

Summary

Published
8 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
14
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 November 2016

Incident Code

CI326

Location

السلام, الموصل, Al Salam, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
On Monday, November 7, 2016, 14 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed by alleged US-led Coalition strikes on a house in the populated Al-Salam neighborhood in southeast Mosul, according to local sources. Iraqi Transmission Network (IBN) reported the deaths of 14 civilians who were "mistakenly" hit in a Coalition raid in southeast Mosul.…

Summary

Published
7 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
14
Civilians reported injured
9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 November 2016

Incident Code

CI327

Location

المصارف, Mosul, Al Masarif, Nineveh, Iraq
According to a single local source, four civilians were killed in an alleged coalition strike on Al Masarif, Mosul. Yaqein reported that three children and a male civilian were killed in the northeast Al Masarif neighborhood of Mosul. The attacks severely damaged houses and shops in the neighbourhood.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 November 2016

Incident Code

CS361

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A man was killed in Raqqa by a Coalition strike, according to one local source. RBSS reported that a “young man” named Ammar Omar al Dakmawi was killed in a Coaltion raid on Raqqa. VDC identifed him as a civilian.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 November 2016

Incident Codes

TS006 CS364

Location

قرية قباسين, Al Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria
One named civilian male was reported by both Halab News Network and the Violations Documentation Centre as having been killed by ‘Coalition’ strikes or shelling at Al Qabasin, Syria. However Turkish forces and their FSA allies may also have been responsible, according to other local reports. TR Diplomacy tweeted a map on the 7th, reporting that…

Summary

Published
7 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 November 2016

Incident Code

CS362

Location

خنيز السلمان, Khaniz al Salman, Raqqa, Syria
Several outlets reported the death of a man from Coalition strikes. RBSS and Shaam News Network reported the death of a civilian “driver” who was operating a tractor when the vehicle was targeted by a Coalition strike.  

Summary

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