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 July 2016

Incident Code

CS286

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Five or more civilians including three women were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike in the al Rabita street area of Manbij town, scene of fierce ground clashes between ISIL occupiers and assaulting SDF forces. According to al Tokhar al Kabil, “members of the Karissli family have been martyred. They are Firyal Karissli and…

Summary

Published
28 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2016

Incident Code

CI269

Location

حي البكر, Hit, Bakir, Al Anbar, Iraq
An unspecified number of civilians was reported killed and injured during alleged Coalition airstrikes at Hit. According to the Iraqi Spring Media Centre, Coalition aircraft have struck the Bakir and Mahboubiya neighbourhoods in Hit in western Anbar, resulting in deaths and injuries. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition…

Summary

Published
27 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2016

Incident Code

CS283

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians was reported killed and injured, after Coalition aircraft allegedly struck a four storey building. According to Manbij Direct “Today the house of, Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Naimi was bombed. It is on al Bizar road near Omar Hajjo school, the former HQ for the al Karama battalion. A remarkable thing happened according…

Summary

Published
26 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2016

Incident Code

CS284

Location

جقل, Al Jaql (Al-Kabirah), Aleppo, Syria
A child was killed and two or more civilians injured in an alleged Coalition strike on the village of al Jafil (or less likely al Hakal.) According to Shaam News “One child was martyred and others wounded when the same planes [as the previous event] bombed the village of al Hakal in the western countryside…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 July 2016

Incident Code

CS282

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians was reported killed and injured during alleged Coalition airstrikes in support of heavy ground fighting in Manbij. According to blogger Hathifa al Yaman al Majd “Warplanes last night targeted Al Jilawi neighbourhood behind al Hawatma neighbourhood, on Jarablos road. Missiles hit civilian houses and destroyed seven houses in the area,…

Summary

Published
25 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2016

Incident Code

CS280

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition (or possibly Assad regime) airstrike on a fuel truck also killed two civilians and injured two more, according to reports. According to Al Hall, “Two civilians were killed and two others wounded, on Sunday afternoon, bombed by warplanes on the road in the Mayadeen desert east of Deir al-Zour). Abu Omar (a…

Summary

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