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

22 August 2016

Incident Code

CI280

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq
According to various reports, 10 people were killed and 20 injured following an alleged Coalition strike at Qayyarah targeting by mistake civilians houses. Al Qayyarah Now – which described the strike as accidental – said children were among the dead. The Arabi Asad blog said two families died. Other local reports described heavy shelling of…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2016

Incident Code

CI279

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to two sources, at least 7 civilians killed including a child and woman and 6 injuries by an alleged Coalition airstrike in Rutba district west of Anbar. The sources cited that the strikes targeted various locations in Rutba district. No additional details are presently known. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition…

Summary

Published
21 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2016

Incident Code

CS298

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM later confirmed the death of a civilian in an attack on Manbij. Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: "during a strike against an ISIL artillery firing position, it is assessed that one civilian was killed after entering the target area after the aircraft released its…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2016

Incident Code

CI278

Location

الجوسق, Mosul, Al-Jawsaq, Nineveh, Iraq
As many as 19 civilians reportedly died in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Jissag near Mosul. Up to nine children and five women were said to be among the dead. Yaqein reported the deaths of a woman and her four children in what was described as a Coalition strike. The Iraqi Spring Media Centre also…

Summary

Published
19 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–19
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 August 2016

Incident Code

CS296

Location

لقطة, La'ata, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian males were killed in Coalition strikes at La’ata. The US later admitted responsibility, noting: “Near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that two civilians were killed." According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, dawn air raids targeted four houses in the village: “These homes were expropriated by Daesh…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 August 2016

Incident Code

CS297

Location

خان طومان, Khan Touman, Aleppo, Syria
There were reports that the Coalition or possibly Russia destroyed the Khan Tuman bridge south of Aleppo city in a night time raid. Casualties were reported among civilians, which one source said amounted to ‘dozens.’ Al Jazeera cited armed opposition sources as saying that “international Coalition aircraft destroyed the vital Khan Tuman bridge, causing deaths…

Summary

Published
17 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident