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

23 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1331

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between six and 12 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Bab city, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. There were allegations against Russia, the Syrian regime and one against the US-led Coalition. A number of sources noted that they had been unable…

Summary

Published
23 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2016

Incident Code

CI290

Location

الدواسة والحدباء والنبي شيت والجوسق وكراج الشمال, Mosul, Hadba and other neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq
Up to seven civilians were reported killed and 47 injured after the Coalition allegedly carried out dawn airstrikes on Mosul. According to Yaqein, areas targeted included Ghazlani and Nabi Sheet. Citing a local source it said locals were quick to evacuate the injured to nearby hospitals and the dead bodies to the morgue. Mosul Eye…

Summary

Published
20 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
47
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20–23 September, 2016

Incident Code

CI290a

Location

الشوره, Shora, Nineveh, Iraq
Three civilians were killed and another injured when Shora primary school, which had been taken over by ISIS to make bombs, was hit by an airstrike - an investigation by the New York Times Magazine found. According to a field investigation conducted by reporters Azmah Khan and Anand Gopal for the New York Times, “Shora…

Summary

Published
22 September 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2016

Incident Code

CI289

Location

كبيسة, Kabaisa, Al Anbar, Iraq
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, according to a Coalition report, Sept. 19, 2016, near Kabaisa, Iraq: Report indicated civilians in a house were killed, but the only strike in the area that day was on a moving vehicle in a remote area. Given reported British actions in the near region that day, Airwars…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 September 2016

Incident Code

CS316

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria
A reported drone strike at al Tabaqa “led to the martyrdom of Ibrahim Mahmoud al Said and the injury of a woman and two children,” according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered. ISIL claimed the drone was American. VDC also named the victim, though said the aircraft as ‘unidentified’. The Syrian Network reported that “Fixed-wing international…

Summary

Published
17 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS315 RS1281

Location

تل حسان, Tall Hassan, Aleppo, Syria
One named civilian died and between three and 15 others were injured in an airstrike on Tall Hassan’s main mosque, near Aleppo - though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia, the Assad regime or the US-led Coalition were to blame. Lens Young Manbij reported that “A short while ago a Coalition raid on the…

Summary

Published
17 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–15
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident