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

3 July 2016

Incident Code

CS245

Location

الخفسة, Al Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians were killed and three injured in a US strike at Al Khafsa. According to the Manbij Coordinating Committee, “the village of Arba’a Kbeer [al Hamr] suffered Coalition raids on the road between Manbij and al Khafsa. There are wounded and one death of a displaced person in the area.” One of the dead…

Summary

Published
3 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2016

Incident Code

CI262

Location

زانكورة, Zankura, Al Anbar, Iraq
Up to 25 internally displaced Iraqis were reported killed in Zankura following alleged Coalition strikes and Iraqi government shelling. Iraqi Revolution reported the martyrdom of at least 25 civilians, mostly women and children, in a massacre by the international Coalition and [Iraqi] government aircraft following the bombing of the home of Saleh Hajji at Zankura,…

Summary

Published
1 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
25
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

CI260

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, East [Cultural group], Nineveh, Iraq
According to local sources, a targeted Coalition strike on the local head of ISIL’s sharia courts killed both him and his wife. They reportedly held French passports. The strike targeted the Al-Majmoa’ Al-Thaqafiya area of western Mosul. In the second of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

CS244

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Two families were reported killed in an alleged Coalition dawn airstrike on Manbij, in the vicinity of the city’s al Lamiya roundabout. According to Manbij Mother of the World, nine civilians were buried at the Al Sheikh Akeel cemetery. Six ISIL fighters reportedly died in an apparent strike on an anti-aircraft position. But the nearby…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

CI261

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
The second sequence of Coalition and Iraqi strikes on a major vehicle convoy (see June 29th) again destroyed hundreds of vehicles. But civilian casualties were again feared. Iraqi Revolution reported in the early hours of June 30th the martyrdom and wounding of dozens of displaced families between Tarrah and Ramadi island, after the government and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

CI259

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources claimed that families of ISIS members and other civilians were killed or wounded after Iraqi government and Coalition aircraft targeted Daesh convoys fleeing Fallujah to Ramadi Island. According to the US military blog War Is Boring, Between 9:00 and 10:00 at night on June 28, Iraqi military intelligence detected the movement of numerous…

Summary

Published
29 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident