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

3 August 2016

Incident Code

CS288

Location

الراطونية, Al Ratouniya, Aleppo, Syria
A reported Coalition strike in the Jazeera roundabout area of al Ratouniya village was said to have killed a 27-year old local named as Ziab the son of Obeid al Ziab. According to the Manbij Documentation Agency the body was recovered three days later: “The young man Ziab the son of Obeid al Ziab from…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

CI272

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Multiple sources claimed that an alleged Coalition strike on the al Sanjak and Karabila areas of Al Qaim killed 45 children and a woman. However, no Coalition strikes were publicly reported in the vicinity. Yaqein reported that most of the civilians are still under the rubble caused by the intensity of the shelling and the…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
42–46
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 August 2016

Incident Code

CI271

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources claimed that Coalition airstrikes had struck neighbourhoods in Qa’im City resulting in 9 civilian deaths – 5 children and 4 women- and 10 injuries. According to Iraq Spring, five homes were hit. ISIL’s media arm later issued a graphic video showing significant destruction at the scene and the bodies of four young children.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 July 2016

Incident Code

CI270

Location

كلية العلوم الاسلامية, Mosul, Faculty of Islamic Sciences at the University of Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
According to multiple reports, alleged night time or dawn Coalition strikes on homes in the vicinity of the Technical Institute and the Faculty of Islamic Sciences at the University of Mosul resulted in nearly 20 civilian fatalities. NRN said many civilian casualties from the brutal strikes came when fragments of the destroyed buildings struck nearby bystanders…

Summary

Published
31 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–19
Civilians reported injured
10–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 July 2016

Incident Code

CS287

Location

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

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 July 2016

Incident Code

CS285

Location

الغندورة, Al Ghandoura, Aleppo, Syria
At least 22 civilians were killed in a Coalition airstrike on the village of al Ghandourra. According to Syria Newsdesk, the noon strikes hit the main market and the elementary school in the town, which was occupied by so-called ISIL. The US later admitted to inadvertently killing 15 civilians in the incident, claiming that “the…

Summary

Published
28 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
22–41
Civilians reported injured
25–40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident