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

13 June 2016

Incident Code

CI250

Location

الشرقاط, Al Shirqat, Salah Al Din, Iraq
Local sources claimed a whole family was killed after Coalition warplanes allegedly destroyed their house in the Sharqat region. News of Iraq reported that the Coalition allegedly bombed civilian homes in Sharqat, resulting in the destruction of a house and the deaths all of the family members inside it. A video posted by Daesh propagandists…

Summary

Published
13 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 June 2016

Incident Code

CS227

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, the Coalition reported in December 2016 that its aircraft had not been involved in a claimed event near Deyr ez Zawr seven months previously. Reports for June 12th said that the area around the city’s airport, hospital and other neighbourhoods resulted in at leasdt one death and four…

Summary

Published
12 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 June 2016

Incident Code

CS226

Location

‏الهدهد‬, Al Hadhad, Aleppo, Syria
Ten civilians from the same family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Al Hadhad, as fierce fighting continued to evict so-called Islamic State forces from areas around Manbij. The Syrian Human Rights Committee also named some of the dead. “Based on the available information, Amnesty International is concerned that…

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–11
Civilians reported injured
28
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 June 2016

Incident Code

CI249

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple civilians were reported killed and injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on the July 17th district of Mosul. According to Mosul Eye, the strikes on a Wednesday night took place at prayer time near a mosque in the Almoghait area – particularly busy during Ramadan. The attack “left several civilians killed and wounded as well…

Summary

Published
8 June 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 June 2016

Incident Code

CS225

Location

الشبالي, Shabali, Aleppo, Syria
Syrian News Desk reported that four civilians from one family were killed and six others injured in alleged Coalition strikes on Shabali. The media opposition activist Ahmed Mohammed, told the news organisation that “the air force targeted the village with two raids. One of them hit a house, killing a woman and her three children,…

Summary

Published
8 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 June 2016

Incident Code

CI248

Location

سومر و العربي والزهور ودنه دان, Mosul, East neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq
A local source said 20 civilians were killed or injured along with three Daesh fighters after Coalition jets allegedly targeted four neighbourhoods in central Mosul. A single source, Yaqein, said the strikes took place in the evening. Among those targeted was a Daesh ’emir’ from Morocco, whose white Hyundai was destroyed. But civilian casualties were…

Summary

Published
7 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–20
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident