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

17 October 2016

Incident Code

CS342

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
During an airstrike on a vehicle in Idlib the Coalition killed one man and reportedly injured four more civilians. The Coalition later admitted responsibility for the one death. According to Step News, “One person was dead and 4 civilians wounded in a car explosion in the city of Idlib after it was targeted by an…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 October 2016

Incident Code

CI295

Location

حي الزنجيلي, Mosul, Zinjili, Nineveh, Iraq
On the first day of a major Iraqi and Coalition assault to recapture Mosul, nine civilians including five members of one family were alleged killed in an airstrike. Iraq News reported “intensive Coalition raids on the areas of Bab al Jadid and Hadbah, west of Mosul, with reports of civilian casualties.” Accordng to Islam Memo,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 October 2016

Incident Code

CS338

Location

الجرنية, Al Jarnia, Raqqa, Syria
12 civilians were killed, including a number of women and children, and several people injured following an alleged Coalition strike, according to local reports. A number of outlets, including Step News Agency, Sada al Sham and Al Jisr TV reported that 11 civilians were killed in the attack, though this figure appeared to originated from…

Summary

Published
16 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
11–12
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2016

Incident Code

CS339

Location

بادية الباغوز, al Baghouz Desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Airstrikes hit oil installation workers and fuel truck drivers, killing at least ten according to local reports. Sound and Picture reported that in the “a number of oil workers working at refineries and fuel truck drivers killed in al Baghouz desert in the eastern countryside following raids by the international coalition.” In February 2018, the…

Summary

Published
16 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2016

Incident Code

CS337

Location

الغازلي, Al Ghazli, Raqqa, Syria
The home of a local sheikh was bombed during a lunch party, killing as many as 20 civilians, according to local sources. Though most reports point to this being a Coalition action, one other blames the regime while a further report alleges that Russia was responsible. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently initially reported that at…

Summary

Published
14 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
14–19
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 October 2016

Incident Code

CI294a

Location

Shora village near Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq
Following the New York Times Magazine's Uncounted investigation, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event in Shora, a village near Qayyarah, Iraq. According to reporters Azmat Khan and Anand Ghopal, "Mohammad Mansour Abdullah’s house was next to the home of an Army Officer who fled Shora when ISIS took over. An…

Summary

Published
13 October 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident