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

23 May 2016

Incident Code

CS216

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Shaam News reported that an ‘entire family‘ was injured in an alleged Coalition evening airstrike on Al Mayadeen. No additional details are presently known. Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes in Deir Ezzor that day, the MoD told Airwars that “after extensive research, we can confirm that there…

Summary

Published
23 May 2016
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 May 2016

Incident Code

CI239a

Location

القيارة, Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq
According to a field investigation conducted by reporters Azmah Khan and Anand Gopal for the New York Times Magazine, one civilian was killed by a Coalition airstrike on an ISIS courthouse in Qayyarah. According to the reporters, the following occurred: “On or near May 21, 2016, an airstrike struck a house being used by ISIS…

Summary

Published
21 May 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 May 2016

Incident Code

CS215

Location

أرشاف, Al Arshaf, Intersection of roads, Aleppo, Syria
Up to ten civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition evening strike at Al Arshaf village on the outskirts of Ekhitrin town, in the northern Aleppo countryside. Syria Urgent initially said 6 civilians died – 4 women and two men – with another four injured “following an American raid.” The Syrian Observatory placed the…

Summary

Published
20 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 May 2016

Incident Code

CS214

Location

الحمرات, Al Hamrat, Raqqa, Syria
A family was reported killed in a contested airstrike at Al Hamrat in Raqqa governorate. Shaam News blamed the US-led Coalition: “Activists said that aircraft believed to be from the international coalition bombed Al Hamrat in the eastern Raqqa countryside this morning, leading to the martyrdom of the family of Abdul Al Hadi Hassan Al…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 May 2016

Incident Code

CI238

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to local sources, up to six civilians including four children were killed and 13 people injured in an alleged Coalition or Iraqi government strike on Fallujah. According to Yaqein, “four civilians including a child were killed and 12 others wounded mostly children and women. Most of them were seriously injured as a result of…

Summary

Published
19 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 May 2016

Incident Code

CI239

Location

معسكر الغزلاني, Mosul, Ghazlani, Nineveh, Iraq
A single source, Yaqen, claimed that 40 civilians were killed and injured in Coalition airstrikes on Mosul. According to the local news group, “A source said that ‘the bombing targeted areas of the Ghazlai camp project as well as the University of Mosul, and the shelling was followed by another bombing which targeted the same…

Summary

Published
19 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–40
Civilians reported injured
10–30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident