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

6 June 2016

Incident Code

CI247

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq
A reported air raid by Iraqi or Coalition aircraft on the Julan neighbourhood of Fallujah resulted in the deaths of an entire family. Najah Jameel Mahmoud Al-Lihibi, his wife and their five children all died in the attack, according to local media. Amis noted that both Iraqi government and Coalition aircraft conducted strikes in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 June 2016

Incident Codes

CS224a RS0858

Location

شعيب الذكر, Shai'eeb al Zakar, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians including three children died in an airstrike on airstrike on Shai’eeb al Zakar, according to local sources though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible, with one report saying that the warplanes were thought to have belonged to the US-led Coalition. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed a…

Summary

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

5 June 2016

Incident Code

CS224b

Location

western Raqqa countryside, Raqqa, Syria
A single source, Al Araby al Jaddid , reported that  "Coalition aircraft launched air raids on the area of ​​Abu Qubea in the western Raqqa countryside, killing two civilians and wounding ten others". No further details are currently available. In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they…

Summary

Published
5 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

CS223

Location

أوجقناه, Ojkana, Aleppo, Syria
22 civilians including at least 13 children were reported killed and 13 people injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes in Manbij. The Shaam News Network reported that “Coalition planes launched raids on IS positions in Manbij and the surrounding area which led to the fall of civilian martyrs and wounded.” The Syrian Press Centre said that…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
22–23
Civilians reported injured
13–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

CS224

Location

صوران, Sawran, Aleppo, Syria
Three named civilians includng a woman and her daughter were killed in a reported Coalition airstrike at Sawran. According to the Syria Network: “Fixed-wing international coalition forces used heavy machine guns to target a civilian car on the road between Souran town and Ihtemlat town which resulted in the killing of three individuals including a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 June 2016

Incident Code

CI246

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Four civilians were reported killed and 20 others wounded, and three members of Daesh died, after Coalition drone allegedly targeted an ISIS car, according to local sources. Nineveh Operations Command said that a “Hyundai” vehicle carrying three Daesh members was struck near a garage which sold chickens. The source said that “corpses littered the street“.…

Summary

Published
2 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident