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

1 June 2016

Incident Code

CS222

Location

السكاوية, Al Sakkawya, Aleppo, Syria
One adult civilian male named as Saif Al Din Mohammad Al Sheikh was reported killed by a single source. According to the Syrian Network, “Fixed-wing international coalition forces warplanes fired a missile that targeted residential houses in Al Sakkawya village, affiliated to Manbej city in the eastern suburbs of Aleppo, which resulted in the killing…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 June 2016

Incident Code

CS221

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Ten named civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes on the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of Raqqa. According to the local Civil Defence, “four civilians were martyred due to successive airstrikes by coalition warplanes on Mashlab neighbourhood according to local source.” The Syrian Observatory reported 10 civilian deaths from airstrikes in Al Mashlab and elsewhere in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 June 2016

Incident Code

CI245

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
10 to 40 civilians were reported killed, and 13 to 36 injured following alleged Coalition airstrikes in west Mosul. Mosul Eye offered a detailed description of affected neighbourhoods, claiming that airstrikes had hit: “– A home in the Muhammadiyah area near the kindergarten which also damaged neighbours’ houses around it and led to the fall…

Summary

Published
1 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–40
Civilians reported injured
13–36
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2016

Incident Codes

CS220 RS0830

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
As many as 15 civilians including at least three children reportedly died in Coalition airstrikes in support of a major Kurdish ground offensive against Daesh near Manbij. Citing the Syrian Observatory, Reuters noted that “U.S.-led air strikes in support of the ground operation [reportedly] killed 15 civilians including three children near Manbij in the past…

Summary

Published
31 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–15
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 May 2016

Incident Code

CI244

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Northeast, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM later confirmed the deaths of six civilians in a US attack on Mosul. Their November 2016 civilian casualty report noted: "during a strike against an ISIL weapons system, it is assessed that six civilians were killed” In July 2019, the Coalition provided Airwars with the location…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 May 2016

Incident Code

CS218

Location

مارع‎, Ma're, Aleppo, Syria
Alleged Coalition airstrikes in the vicinity of Ma’re led to seven civilian deaths with more injured, according to reports. Noting the fierce clashes in northern Aleppo governorate, Eldorar reported that “Dozens of civilians were killed in bombings by US aircraft during the last 48 hours, due to the detention of civilians by IS, which is…

Summary

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