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

12 July 2016

Incident Code

CS259

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian named as “Ammar al Hassan the son of the lawyer Abu Ammar al Aouni” was reported killed in a fresh Coalition strike on the city of Manbij. According to the Manbij Agency for Documentation, he died when the home of of Mr. Suleiman Al Hassan was struck near al Hikma hospital. One source…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 July 2016

Incident Code

CS260

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Four children from one family were killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Raqqa. According to Shaam News, the dawn strike totally destroyed the home of Ahmed Salem al Amin, killing his four young children. Nine other civilians were also reported wounded. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered named the children as Salem, Fatima, Rimas and Mais.…

Summary

Published
12 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–9
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2016

Incident Code

CI265

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
Two displaced families from Tikrit were reportedly killed in an alleged Iraqi government or Coalition airstrike at Hawijah. Iraqi Spring reported that all members of his family died in the bombing of their house by the Coalition. Another local source claimed a second family was also killed. There was confusion about who might have been responsible…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 July 2016

Incident Code

CS257

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
As intense Coalition airstrikes and ground actions against Manbij continued, reports of civilian casualties continued to grow. However reporting remained very confused. Five civilians were reported killed either by a sniper or by Coalition strikes. Manbij Agency for Documentation named the dead. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 July 2016

Incident Code

CS258

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
In a second alleged Coalition civilian casualty event in Manbij for July 11th, up to three civilians were reported killed.  

Summary

Published
11 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2016

Incident Code

CS256

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians were reported killed in Coalition strikes, including a woman and child. The US later admitted to two deaths in the attack, noting: “Manbij, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that two civilians were killed.” As Shaam News reported, “activists stressed that Syria democratic forces and elements of the…

Summary

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