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

7 November 2016

Incident Code

CS363

Location

northern countryside of Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Three individuals were killed in a Coalition strike, local sources reported. Euphrates Post said that international coalition strikes killed three individuals traveling in a car “in the desert of Al Raqqa.”. It identified the victims as being from Bokros in Deir Ezzor province though did not clarify if they were civilians. The Deir Ezzor and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 November 2016

Incident Code

CI324

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Sehab, Nineveh, Iraq
An Iraqi security source who spoke with Airwars reported the deaths of 16 civilians spread among several families. The source said they were all in a house in a neighbourhood of eastern Mosul when it was hit by an airstrike at 7 PM on November 6th. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 November 2016

Incident Code

CI325

Location

Mosul, Shahid-Yunis, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition admitted responsibility for the deaths of two civilians and the injuries of five more in an airstrike at Shahid Yunis. In its monthly civilian casualty report for January 2017, the Coalition noted "Nov. 6, 2016, near Shahid-Yunis As Sab, Iraq: During a strike on ISIL fighters…

Summary

Published
6 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2016

Incident Code

CS359

Location

الرقة‎, Al Safsafa, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians were killed in coalition strikes, according to local sources. Step News Agency reported that “4 civilians were killed and others injured in an air raid by the international coalition targeting Al Safsafa neighborhood in the city of Raqqa.” Al Mirsad and Al Amawi also reported raids in the neighborhood and said 4 civilians…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 November 2016

Incident Code

CS360

Location

لقطة, Lakta, Raqqa, Syria
At least 7 civilians were killed by by a Coalition airstrike, according to an ISIL-controlled outlet. ISIL-controlled Al A’amaq reported that “international coalition planes” targeted two homes in Lakta, “and killed at least seven civilians.” Thus far, Al A’amaq is the only source that references this incident specifically. However, other monitors and outlets, including the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 November 2016

Incident Code

CI322

Location

حي الزهراء, Mosul, al-Zahra, Nineveh, Iraq
Nine civilians were killed in alleged coalition strikes in eastern Mosul, according to local reports. Orient News cited an Iraqi security source and reported the killing of nine civilians in an air strike that hit two houses in the east of Mosul, and wrote that it was likely carried out by the Coalition. Al Manar and News…

Summary

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