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

19 July 2016

Incident Code

CS273

Location

التوخار كبير, Tokhar Kabir, Aleppo, Syria
In what may have been the single greatest loss of life from a Coalition action in the first two years of its war against Daesh, between 78 and 203 civilians were reported killed in a catastrophic event at the village of Tokhar – the scene of a number of other recent civilian fatalities from alleged…

Summary

Published
19 July 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
78–203
Civilians reported injured
30
Military actors reported killed
85
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2016

Incident Codes

CS273a RS1027

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
In what has been described as a massacre, committed by both Russian and Assad regime and coalition warplanes, between 10 and 23 civilians were killed and as many as 35 more wounded on July 19th in Idlib city. Other sources claimed that the Coalition was involved in the incident. According to Shaam News Network the…

Summary

Published
19 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–23
Civilians reported injured
30–35
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2016

Incident Code

CI268

Location

الشرقاط, Al Shirqat, Salah Al Din, Iraq
One woman was reported killed and at least half a dozen civilians injured in an alleged Iraqi government or Coalition airstrike at Sharqat. The casualties were said to have occurred when a Daesh headquarters was bombed in the late morning. Al Samarra TV reported that three families were injured and one woman killed… after inaccurate…

Summary

Published
19 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2016

Incident Code

CS274

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, 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…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 July 2016

Incident Code

CS269

Location

التوخار كبير, Tokhar Kabir, Aleppo, Syria
Up to sixteen civilians including two or more children were reported killed in an alleged noon Coalition airstrike on Al Tokhar, a village near Manbij in northern Aleppo governorate. In its own report on the event the Syrian Network noted: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted a residential house that is…

Summary

Published
18 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–16
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2016

Incident Code

CS270

Location

حيمر لابدة, Haymar Labda, Aleppo, Syria
Four or more civilians were reported killed and others injured in what were described as heavy Coalition airstrikes on the village of Haymar Labda, as the battle to capture nearby Manbij intensified. ISIL’s media wing also issued a statement claiming “dead and injured and great destruction as a result of Coalition raids on the village…

Summary

Published
18 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–12
Civilians reported injured
14–40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident