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

11 August 2016

Incident Code

CS293

Location

ذيبان‬, Ziban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Coalition airstrikes on ‘ISIL oil tankers’ reportedly resulted in the death of a civilian driver and the injuring of others. In September 2020, the Coalition admitted that a strike had been conducted on August 11th 2016 against Daesh equipment, killing one civilian and injuring at least one other. According to the Syrian Observatory, “Coalition warplanes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 August 2016

Incident Code

CS291

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
There were claims that two children died in northern Manbij as a result of Coalition strikes, though few specific details have emerged. The originator of the story may have been Al A’Amaq (ISIL’s news arm) which reported: “Urgent: two children killed following a US raid on north of Manbij city.” According to Shaam News, “very…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2016

Incident Code

CS289

Location

التنك, Al Tanak oil field, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Seven civilian fuel truck drivers were killed and two more injured following what appeared to have been multiple Coalition strikes in the vicinity of Al Tanak. The Coalition confirmed destroying 83 oil tankers that day - though it would be five years before it publicly admitted civilian harm resulting from the event. Deir Ezzor 24…

Summary

Published
7 August 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 August 2016

Incident Code

CS290

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
As the battle for Manbij reached its final stages, so-called Islamic State claimed that Coalition aircraft had committed a ‘massacre’ of civilians in the town. However, most sources reported that ISIL was forcibly trapping civilians in the town, and using them as human shields. In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed…

Summary

Published
7 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 August 2016

Incident Code

CI274

Location

بعويزة, Mosul, Baweiza, Nineveh, Iraq
An alleged Coalition airstrike in the Baoizh area of Mosul (or Bo’weza) reportedly killed a female child and injured four other civilians. According to NRN News, a Coalition strike killed a number of Daesh militants but also killed a number of civilians, including a little girl who died under the rubble.  

Summary

Published
4 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 August 2016

Incident Code

CI273

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
A single source reported the deaths of 10 civilians and the injuring of nine others in alleged Coalition and Iraqi government actions in and around Hawijah. According to Yaqein, international Coalition warplanes targeted, on Wednesday evening, the village of Albrglah and three areas in the district of Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk, killing ten civilians and…

Summary

Published
3 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident