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

7 July 2016

Incident Code

CS250

Location

بير مغار, Beer Maghat, Aleppo, Syria
At least two civilian males were killed and one injured when their van was allegedly targeted in a Coalition strike at Beer Maghar in northern Aleppo. According to Manbij Mother of the World, “Coalition planes target a civilian van north of the village of Maghar [Dadat] which led to the martyrdom of two young men…

Summary

Published
7 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 July 2016

Incident Code

CS251

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
In what may be the same or a separate incident to the one above, a family of seven was reported killed after their house was destroyed in an alleged Coalition strike on Manbij on ‘the third day of Eid.’ Details of the deaths emerged in a letter received by Manbij Direct: “A humanitarian call regarding…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI263

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
A single source claimed that Coalition strikes in the vicinity of Hawijah killed five non-combatants and injured an additional 12 people. A number of homes were reportedly damaged in the incident. No additional information is presently known.

Summary

Published
7 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 July 2016

Incident Code

CS247

Location

التوخار كبير, Tokhar Kabir, Aleppo, Syria
A young civilian non-combatant male named as Osama Ibrahim Mohammad al Rahim was killed in a reported Coalition night time strike on the village of Tokhar Kabir, as part of an ongoing and aggressive air campaign in the area.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 July 2016

Incident Code

CS248

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
The Islamic State-controlled media agency Al A’Amaq reported that a woman was killed and her young daughter injured in a Coalition drone strike on central Manbij. No other sources are presently known. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 July 2016

Incident Code

CS246

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
At least four members of one family including two children were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Manbij. Manbij Mother of the World gave a detailed description of the event: “Coalition planes committed a massacre yesterday against al Hunaifi family killing 4 people and leaving a number of wounded. The house is near…

Summary

Published
4 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident