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

18 October 2016

Incident Code

CI298

Location

لقوسيات والعربي, Mosul, Al-Qaysiyat and Al-Arabi, Nineveh, Iraq
Up to nine civilians, including a woman and one or more children, were killed in overnight bombing in Mosul according to local reports. Al Rafidain Network for Human Rights reported a bombing “killed or wounded innocent civilians, including women and children.” Al Hathalyoum placed the death toll at eight: “A security source and local residents…

Summary

Published
18 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS343 TS005C

Location

حساجك, Hassadjek, Aleppo, Syria
At least 6 people were killed by airstrikes in the vicinity of Hassadjek village in Aleppo, though the circumstances were unclear. Initially, Voice of Kurdistan blamed the US-led Coalition for a strike occurring around 3am, which it said left six people dead and four wounded. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russian and Syrian government…

Summary

Published
18 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS343a RS1486

Location

Al Basira town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that between one and two civilians died and up to five more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Basira bridge in Al Basira town. The majority of sources blamed the US-led Coalition for the strike, though there was also an allegation against Russia and Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the…

Summary

Published
18 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 October 2016

Incident Code

CI296

Location

Makkuk (near Qaryah), Nineveh, Iraq
Local eyewitness said that two children were killed and another injured badly when Coalition airstrike targeted an ISIL building in Makkuk village in Makhmur near Qayyarah at 10.10am. While al Rafidain made no mention of civilian casualties, it reported “a rocket attack caused the destruction of an ISIL facility in Qayyarah.”  

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 October 2016

Incident Code

CS340

Location

الطنيرة, at Tanira, Raqqa, Syria
A man was killed when his home was reportedly hit by a Coalition strike, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered reported that a man identified as Ali al Jreik al Jairi was killed “following the targeting of his home by an international coalition air raid.” The Syrian Observatory reported an unidentified man…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 October 2016

Incident Code

CS341

Location

المعماري, al Ma'amari, Al Hassakah, Syria
A number of civilians were wounded by Coalition raids that struck a house, according to two local sources. Euphrates Post reported that a house belonging to a civilian in al Ma’amari village was targeted by Coalition planes, leading to the “injury of 15 people.” Al Natek reported 10 wounded, and later named the house owner…

Summary

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