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

3 October 2016

Incident Code

CS326

Location

العزيزية, Al Azizeya [exact location], Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians were reported injured in a Coalition strike, though it later denied any civilians casualties had occured in the event. According to ISIL’s media arm “three women and a child were wounded in American warplane shelling in Al-Azizeya, south west of Al-Rae’i.” A Coalition report issued December 1st 2016 insisted that “Oct.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 October 2016

Incident Code

CI292

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported the deaths of up to 23 civilians – including 17 children and 1 woman – following an alleged Coalition airstrike on Mosul’s Najjar neighbourhood. Officials later confirmed the deaths of 10 civilians in the event. Iraqi Spring reported at the time that The coalition air force has targeted a home in which…

Summary

Published
2 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
19–23
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS325 TS004

Location

دابق‎, Dabiq, Aleppo, Syria
Between 5 and 8 civilians were reported killed in a Coalition or unilateral Turkish airstrike at Dabiq. According to LCCSY, “eight civilians from one family, mostly women and children, were martyred due to International Coalition warplanes shelling  #Dabiq village in the northern countryside.” Shaam News also said eight died – which it claimed included 5 children…

Summary

Published
2 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2016

Incident Code

CS323

Location

غيطون, Ghaytun, Aleppo, Syria
Islamic State’s media wing Al A’Amaq claimed that “nine people from one family were killed in an American raid on the village of Ghaitoun east of the town of Mare’ in the northern Aleppo countryside.” That assertion appeared to be the basis for most other media reports. Syria Press Centre said the attack happened in…

Summary

Published
1 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2016

Incident Code

CS324

Location

Subha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Coalition denied that it had killed or injured civilians near Deir ez Zawr on October 1st, despite local claims. According to reports, multiple bridges were targeted in Coalition strikes on October 1st, with Step News reporting that “Coalition warplanes destroyed a number of bridges including Al-Abbas bridge in Abu Kamal, and Al-Nawam.” Other reports…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Code

CS322

Location

بادية هجين, Hajin Desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three or four civilian fuel truck drivers were reported killed along with a number of Daesh fighters, in the Hajin Desert area of Deir Ezzor. In September 2020, the Coalition admitted that a strike had been conducted on September 30th 2016 against "Daesh equipment", killing at least three civilians According to blogger Hamad al Ramadan,…

Summary

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