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

24 July 2016

Incident Code

CS281

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
One or more civilian was killed and two injured in an alleged Coalition strike on the al Sarib neighbourhood of Manbij. Local blogger Hathifa al Yaman Abu al Majd reported: “Saif the son of Moussa al Hamdoush died due to being hit by shrapnel from raids that targeted al Sarib neighbourhood with ten missiles, targeting…

Summary

Published
24 July 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

CS278

Location

النواجة, Al Nawaja, Aleppo, Syria
As many as 22 civilians were reported killed at the village of al Nawaja, as the Coalition-supported offensive continued. However the Coalition later denied responsibility for the incident, noting that “the JCTF did not conduct any strikes in that geographic location.” According to one source, “al Nawaja village is divided into two neighbourhoods. The eastern…

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–22
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

CS279

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
One adult civilian male was reported killed in a fresh Coalition strike on the besieged city. According to Manbij Direct, “Mohammad bin Ahmad Khaled al Othman died in coalition raids a few hours ago inside the city of Manbij. He is a civilian who doesn’t belong to any faction. Today the city of manbij has…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 July 2016

Incident Code

CS277

Location

الحمر الشرقية, Hamr ar Shaqiya, Aleppo, Syria
A number of sources reported the deaths of three civilians in an alleged Coalition event, with two alleged victims named as Abu Shaman and his father. However a local Facebook site insisted the claims were “totally untrue… Everything is normal and nothing is happening.” According to Shaam News, “In the eastern countryside, battles are at…

Summary

Published
21 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 July 2016

Incident Code

CS275

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
A report on August 5th 2016 by local blogger Hathifa al Yaman Abu al Majd claimed that approximately 15 civilians had died in a Coalition strike two weeks earlier, with their bodies still buried under rubble. “American Alliance planes – around 15 days ago –  committed a massacre against three families opposite al Fatah mosque near…

Summary

Published
20 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 July 2016

Incident Code

CS276

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
In an incident which may relate to the previous report – or was unknown to Airwars – the Coalition announced in January 2017 that it was investigating a possible civilian casualty event near Manbij almost six months earlier. According to the initial statement “five reports of civilian casualties received in November are still being assessed……

Summary

Published
20 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident