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

1 November 2016

Incident Code

CI314

Location

الكرامة, Karama (Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq
According to a single local report that a family was killed by airstrikes in Karama, Mosul. Mosul Eye reported, an entire family was killed during a bombardment in Al-Karama neighbourhood. It said that no information about their number was available. No additional details are presently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 November 2016

Incident Code

CI315

Location

مناطق وكجلي والكرامة والقدس وعدن والميثاق والصناعة والانتصار, Mosul, East neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq
Five civilians were killed and 10 wounded by artillery shelling, according to local sources. Yaquen reported that 5 civilians were killed and 10 wounded – mostly women and children – in Mosul’s eastern half due to indiscriminate bombing. The report cited sources who said the attacks originated from French artillery shelling. Baghdad Post similarly cited French…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 October 2016

Incident Code

CS354

Location

الرقة‎, Mashlab, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple sources, including Halab Today TV and Al Amawi News, reported the death of a child and the injuring of this father in a coalition raid on the al Mashlab neighborhood east of Raqqa. Smart News reported strikes in Raqqa targeting ISIL, which it said killed four militants. It said the death of the child…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 October 2016

Incident Code

CI313

Location

تل كيف‎, Tel Kepe (Tel Kayf), Nineveh, Iraq
A local outlet reported that numerous civilians have fallen victim to daily bombardments neighbourhoods in Telkaif north of Mosul. Mosul Youth and Girls, State and Flag reported that 15 people died, including children and six women. It attributed the violence to daily bombardment carried out by the besieging forces. Given reported British actions in the area…

Summary

Published
30 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS352 TS005f

Location

الجطل, Al Jatal, Aleppo, Syria
At least one person was killed by alleged Coalition raids in the vicinity of al Jatal, according to sparse local reports. However a Turkish assault on the village was also reported at the time. Halab News named one male victim who it also said was a victim of “coalition raids.” The only other specific report…

Summary

Published
29 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 October 2016

Incident Code

CS353

Location

العريمة, Al `A'rīma, Aleppo, Syria
One person was killed by coalition raids, according to a single local source.    

Summary

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