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

28 August 2016

Incident Codes

CS300 TS002

Location

جب الكوسا, Jeb el Kussa, Aleppo, Syria
Twenty people were reported killed and 50 injured after clashes at Jeb el Kussa, south of Jarabulus. According to Al Alam “these people fell during battles between militants and extremist groups backed by Turkey and the so-called “democratic forces of Syria” and armed groups backed by America. The Syrian Observatory confirmed casualties in the ranks of…

Summary

Published
28 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1198

Location

بالقرب من نادي اليحيى، ٱلرَّقَّة, Vicinity of Yahya Sports Club, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
Between five and nine civilians including one child died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to sources on the ground - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia, the Assad regime of the US-led Coalition was responsible. Several reports said that strikes occurred near…

Summary

Published
26 August 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 August 2016

Incident Code

CS301

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of a young civilian male following an alleged Coalition strike on an ISIL prison. The group noted on August 28th: “Martyrdom of Khalil Al-Gharieb, detained by the organisation Daesh due to an international Coalition warplane raid several days before on the organization’s prison in the city of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 August 2016

Incident Code

CI281

Location

حي الحدباء, Mosul, Hadba and Zuhoor, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources claimed that the Coalition struck allegedly Hadbah and Zuhoor neighbourhoods in Mosul resulting in up to 10 deaths and additional injuries among other civilians. However US-led alliance has informed Airwars that We can confirm that no Coalition strikes were conducted in Mosul between August 22nd and August 24th. According to Yaqein, the international airline…

Summary

Published
23 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
7–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2016

Incident Code

CI282

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in an airstrike on the northern outskirts of al Qayyarah. Their July 2018 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on Daesh improvised weapons assembly area, one civilian was unintentionally injured.” The Coalition provided Airwars with the location…

Summary

Published
23 August 2016
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2016

Incident Code

CS299

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
The United States self-reported that one of its airstrikes in the vicinity of Raqqa may have killed civilians. The incident appears to correlate with a number of reported attacks on the city that day. In a press release issued August 24th, CENTCOM noted: “A strike yesterday on an ISIL weapons facility near Ar Raqqah, Syria,…

Summary

Published
23 August 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident