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

19 June 2016

Incident Code

CS233

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was killed and 10 others injured following an alleged Coalition airstrike on a transport bus in the Manbij countryside, according to local sources. Shaam News reported: “Battles are still raging between the SDF and IS in which people were killed on both sides amidst intense coalition raids on the eastern and southern entrances…

Summary

Published
19 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2016

Incident Code

CS234

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria
Between 10 and 16 civilians including one woman were killed and 30-35 injured in airstrikes on Tabaqa – though reports are conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Assad regime carried out the attacks. However, the majority of the sources allege Russia was responsible. LCCSY, Syria 2011 and the Syrian Revolution all named…

Summary

Published
19 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–16
Civilians reported injured
30–35
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2016

Incident Codes

CS232 RS0915

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
Between three and five civilians died and up to 17 others were wounded in an airstrike on Al Mansoura village, according to local media. Multiple reports said a strike hit a car travelling along the al Rasafa road and killed those inside. It was unclear who was responsible for the deaths, with allegations against Russia,…

Summary

Published
17 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2–17
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 June 2016

Incident Code

CS231

Location

النواجة, Al Nawaja, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian, named as Nidal Juma’a, died in an alleged Coalition raid on the village of Al Nawaja, according to local sources. Manbij is Mother of The World did not say who was responsible for the raid, but reported: “the citizen Nidal Juma’a al Sam’o from the village of al Nawaja in the eastern Manbij…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2016

Incident Code

CI255

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
One local source, Iraqi Revolution, said six civilians including four children were killed after the Coalition allegedly targeted the Aleiadiayah region north of Tel-Afar west of Mosul. No further details are currently available. In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2016

Incident Code

CI254

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq
It was reported that airstrikes and artillery shelling of neighbourhoods in Fallujah killed at least 10 civilians and injured 15 more. However, it was not clear from the reports who was responsible, as they referred to aggressive shelling government and international. One report said that the emergency Fallujah General Hospital received thirteen wounded including five…

Summary

Published
16 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–16
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident