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

13 October 2016

Incident Code

CI294

Location

المصارف, Mosul, Masaref and Rifak, Nineveh, Iraq
Nine civilians were killed alongside 13 members of ISIS in Mosul, according to local sources. NRN reported that Coalition aircraft launched two raids on the Masaref and Rifak neighbourhoods of the city. A correspondent said the attack targeted banks and sites belonging to ISIL members. The attacks were heavy and [caused] extensive damage to public…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS335 TS005b

Location

تل بطال, Tall Btal, Aleppo, Syria
Between 3 and 4 displaced people were reported killed in camps near Tal Btal, a village south of Ra’i in the Aleppo countryside. It was unclear whether Turkey or the Coalition was responsible. Ramaf reported that an attack hit a camp, claiming “the lives of three martyrs and [left] more than fifteen wounded as a…

Summary

Published
11 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 October 2016

Incident Code

CS336

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Alleged Coalition airstrikes on a house and vehicles killed at least four and as many as nine civilians, according to local sources – though reports give conflicting accounts on the combat status of some of those killed. Deir Ezzor 24 reported that Coalition planes targeted a house in al Sha’afa village, leading to the “death…

Summary

Published
11 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 October 2016

Incident Code

CS334

Location

بادية هجين, Hajin Desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 3 and 4 civilian drivers were reported killed in Coalition raids in the desert outside Deir ez-Zor, accoring to multiple local sources. The Coalition reported that it attacked multiple “supply routes” in the area during this period. In November 2017 it confirmed responsibility for the event. However, the Coalition admitted to having killed only…

Summary

Published
9 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS333 TS005a

Location

دويبق, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria
Twelve to 14 civilians, including up to seven children and five women, were killed in air raids on the village of Dabiq in Aleppo governorate, according to local reports. It was alleged that both the Coalition and Turkey were responsible. The Syrian Network reported “at least 8 civilians died in International Coalition warplanes missiles fired…

Summary

Published
8 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–14
Civilians reported injured
23
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS329 RS1417

Location

جسر السياسية, Al Siassah Bridge [exact location], Deir Ezzor, Syria
On Thursday, October 6, 2016, one civilian was killed and several others were injured when warplanes bombed Al-Siassah bridge over the Euphrates river in Deir Ez-Zawr, in eastern Syria. Reports cited both Coalition and Russian forces, although CENTCOM reported the destruction of two supply routes in Deir Ezzor for October 5th-6th. Sham News Network reported…

Summary

Published
6 October 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident