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

16 August 2016

Incident Code

CS295

Location

غرة صغير, Ghirra Sgheer, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilian brothers were killed in the village of Ghirra Sgheer south of Manbij. While most reports blamed a mine explosion, some sources claimed the deaths were caused by a Coalition strike. Manbij Mother of All The World and Aleppo 24 both blamed a mine on the deaths. Retreating ISIL forces had littered villages and towns…

Summary

Published
16 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 August 2016

Incident Code

CI276

Location

الموصل, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Four civilians were reported killed and 24 injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Mosul, as the battle for the ISIL-occupied city intensified. No additional details are presently known. See the following report. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in…

Summary

Published
15 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 August 2016

Incident Code

CI277

Location

الثقافية, Mosul, Cultural District, Nineveh, Iraq
In a second alleged Coalition event in Mosul for the day, between 7 and 13 civilians reportedly died with 35 or more injured, after the Tamatim food distribution building was hit in the city. NRN, which published graphic photos, reported the fall of more than 48 civilians in the bombing by the Coalition in Mosul.…

Summary

Published
15 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–13
Civilians reported injured
35–39
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 August 2016

Incident Code

CS294

Location

خلوف الضعيف, Khalouf al Daeef, Al Hassakah, Syria
One adult civilian male named as Naji Ismail al Khalouf was reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike at the village of Khalouf al Daeef in Hassakah. A woman and child were also said to have been ‘seriously’ injured. According to the Syrian Observatory, “aircraft believed to be from the international Coalition carried out several…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

CI275

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq
A number of sources reported that six non-combatants including two children died, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a vehicle-borne IED factory in Qayyarah. The Coalition conceded the event two years later. According to Qayyarah News at the time, the airstrike destroyed an ISIS facility which contained two vehicles already packed with explosives. The resulting…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Codes

CS292 RS1127

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In a major civilian casualty event, between 13 and 30 civilians were killed and up to 70 more injured from airstrikes from either a Russian or a Coalition strike on al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa City. Both belligerents report bombing in the area. Raqaa is Being Slaughtered initially reported on the morning of August 11th:…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
13–30
Civilians reported injured
13–70
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident