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

15 June 2016

Incident Code

CI251

Location

جامعة الموصل, Mosul, Al Jameha / University, Nineveh, Iraq
One civilian, a teacher, was killed and another wounded, after an alleged Coalition jet struck the university area of Mosul. A number of civilian cars were also said to have been destroyed. The US later confirmed its role in the attack though reported only that two civilians were injured: “Near Mosul, Iraq, during another strike…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2016

Incident Code

CI252

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to various local sources reported that an alleged Coalition shelled the Hasi area of Fallujah, leading to the death of six families, two of whom were killed while trying to leave Fallujah. Al Fallujah Online said 10 people died, including four women and three children, and that 13 others were wounded, including five children and four…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2016

Incident Code

CI253

Location

الكسك, Kisik, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Aiwars, CENTCOM later confirmed the deaths of six civilians in a US strike near Kisik, Iraq. Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: "during a strike against an ISIL weapons storage facility, it is assessed that six civilians were killed.” In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars with…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2016

Incident Codes

CS229 RS0908

Location

‏الغوز‬, Al Ghouz, Aleppo, Syria
A family of seven civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Al ghouz, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Coalition. Aleppo 24 reported that a suspected Russian cluster bomb raid was responsible. Other sources, including Al Mukhtassar, @ALAMAWI  and Nabd Syria all…

Summary

Published
14 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 June 2016

Incident Codes

CS230 RS0909

Location

‏السموقة‬, Jisr Samouqa, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Samouqa, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the US-led Coalition. Aleppo24, @ALAMAWI, Al Mukhtassar and Nabd Syria blamed Russia. Aleppo 24 reported: “A family made up of 7 people killed and 3 other civilians killed…

Summary

Published
14 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2016

Incident Code

CS228

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
A reported Coalition airstrike on the agricultural secondary school in Manbij – being used as a temporary prison by so called Islamic State – led to the deaths of between 8 and 20 civilian captives according to local reports. Smart News reported: “Our reporter explained that raids carried out by international coalition aircraft targeted a…

Summary

Published
13 June 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
8–20
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident