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

18 July 2016

Incident Code

CS271

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
A single source reported the deaths of three named young children and the injuring of five more family members, in a fresh alleged Coalition casualty event at Manbij. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as "non-credible",…

Summary

Published
18 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2016

Incident Code

CS272

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
The Manbij Documentation Agency initially claimed that “Sabr the son of Abdallah al Saidi and his family [7 people] were killed in coalition raids on his house near the education department behind his father’s building.” That claim was robustly denied by Manbij Mother of All Worlds: “We totally deny what some pages published yesterday about…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2016

Incident Code

CS268

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Fifteen or more civilians reportedly died in an alleged Coalition night time strike on the Al Hazwana neighbourhood of Manbij, according to multiple reports. Manbij Mother of all the World said the ‘terrible massacre’ took place near the al Karama school. The Syrian Observatory issued an urgent call to the Coalition and its allies: “We…

Summary

Published
17 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
15–16
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2016

Incident Code

CS267

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
In a new reported Coalition civilian casualty event in Manbij on July 17th, five civilians reportedly died when airstrikes hit the city. All sources were agreed that the wife and two adult children of Al Haj Bahri al Darwish died. On March 10, 2022 in the CJTF-OIR Civilian Casualty Report, the Coalition reported this incident…

Summary

Published
17 July 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

CS266

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
An 80-year old man was reported by a number of sources as having been killed in one of multiple Coalition strikes on Manbij between dawn and noon. The strikes reportedly targeted both the Aleppo road and the al Hazwana neighbourhood in the city. According to Manbij Mother of the World, “planes carried out several raids…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

CI267

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
An alleged Coalition strike targeted the house of an ISIL commander named as Abu Hajar, said to be from Diyala province, also reportedly killed his whole family according to a single source.

Summary

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