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

5 November 2016

Incident Code

CI323

Location

حمام العليل, Mosul, Hamam al Alil subdistrict, Nineveh, Iraq
The UN report on the protection of civilians in the context of Nineveh operations and the retaking of Mosul stated: On 5 November, airstrikes hit two houses in Hamam al-Alil City resulting in the houses collapsing. Twenty-three civilians, including children, were reportedly trapped inside. In the evening of the same day, two children, one seriously…

Summary

Published
5 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
23
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 November 2016

Incident Code

CS358

Location

الحيوي, Al Hiyewi, Raqqa, Syria
Three men were killed in airstrikes, according to a local source. RBSS reported the deaths of three men “following air raids carried out by the international coalition.” The Syrian Network and several outlets including Shaam News Network also reported the deaths of 3 civilians. Deir Ezzor and al Raqqa Legal Network shared the same three…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 November 2016

Incident Code

CI319

Location

الكندي, Mosul, Kindi, Nineveh, Iraq
According to a single local report, a father and his daughter were killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes. Mosul Eye reported that 2 civilians (father and his daughter) have been killed in US-led coalition airstrikes in Al-Kindy neighbourhood, on the eastern bank of Mosul.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 November 2016

Incident Code

CI320

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
A local outlet reported an alleged Coalition bombing in an industrial area in Mosul, causing unknown casualties. Iraq 24 News reported widescale Coalition bombing in Mosul, including the industrial area. This led to four civilian casualties in addition to the dead Daesh, continued the report.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 November 2016

Incident Code

CI321

Location

الكندي, Mosul, Kindi, Nineveh, Iraq
Members of several families were killed by bombings in Mosul, according to one local report. Mosul Eye reported that members of three families were killed due to “bombardment” in Al-Kindi and Al-Kafa’at Al Thinita neighbourhoods of Mosul. The houses ISIL used are now empty, Mosul Eye clarified. The residents are the victims. Mosul Eye, however, did not…

Summary

Published
4 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
21
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2016

Incident Code

CS357

Location

لقطة, Lakta, Raqqa, Syria
A man was killed when the car he was in was hit by an airstrike, according to local sources. RBSS reported that a man named Suleiman Al Ahmad al Ghannam was killed “after his injury in an air raid launched by the international coalition on the village of Lakta in the northern Raqqa countryside.” Al…

Summary

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