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

27 June 2016

Incident Codes

CS243 RS0954

Location

الخفسة, Al Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and 13 civilians died in airstrikes on Al Khafssa, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia, the US-led Coalition or the Syrian regime were to blame. The majority of sources, including HNN, @AJABreaking and @HalabNewsN blamed Russia. The Step News Agency, also attributed the event to Russia, put…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2016

Incident Code

CS242

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Up to seven civilians from one family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on Manbij, according to multiple sources. Manbij Mother of the World placed the death toll at 7, though the Syrian Network reported that four died – including 2 children. However a local activist (whose account is now suspended by Twitter)…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2016

Incident Code

CI257

Location

بادوش, Badush, Nineveh, Iraq
Local sources reported that 25 civilians were killed and 48 wounded following an alleged Coalition targeted residential neighbourhoods in Badush, north-west of Mosul. Iraqi Revolution reported “dozens of raids, while Iraqi Spring Media said four families were killed. The US later confirmed two separate casualty incidents in Mosul that day from the strikes – but…

Summary

Published
26 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
25
Civilians reported injured
48
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2016

Incident Code

CI258

Location

الموصل‎, Near Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the US-led Coalition later admitted that it had injured one civilian near Mosul five months earlier. Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: "June 26, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that one individual was injured after entering the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2016

Incident Code

CI256

Location

الموصل: غرب/الجانب الأيمن, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
One local source, Mosul Eye, reported that eight civilian detainees of Daesh were killed after the coalition allegedly targeted a Daesh convoy which was transferring the prisoners to court. Mosul Eye reported: The source explained to Mousliyn, that elements of the organisation brought a group of prisoners by bus for their ‘trial, but international Coalition…

Summary

Published
25 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2016

Incident Code

CS241

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
One male civilian was killed and three others injured in an alleged Coalition raid on the Al Shayoukhat neighbourhood, Manbij, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the victim was “an old man”. In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian…

Summary

Published
25 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident