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

20 April 2016

Incident Code

CI230

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
An alleged Coalition airstrike on a neighbourhood in eastern Mosul also reportedly killed an entire family. According to NRN News, “Our correspondent said that the bombing was aimed at the home district council of Mosul by Zuhair al-Jubouri in a neighbourhood used by Daesh. But the rocket landed on the house next door, killing five…

Summary

Published
20 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2016

Incident Code

CS203

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria
Two named civilians were reported killed and others injured after an alleged Coalition strike at Al Tabaqah. One of those killed has been named as Abd al Mahayman Abd al Tawwab al Radwan, from Deir Ezzor. In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 April 2016

Incident Code

CI229

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
According to local sources, up to eight civilians were killed and others injured after Coalition jets struck the Al Hadbah apartment complex in western Mosul. “Many” Daesh fighters were also reported killed. NRN said it was a nighttime attack: “Our correspondent says the bombing killed and wounded a number of civilians, noting that foreign elements…

Summary

Published
19 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 April 2016

Incident Code

CI228

Location

صديرة, Sudayrah, Salah Al Din, Iraq
According to local sources, unknown aircraft struck boats in Sidera village east of Shirkat north of Tikrit, killing 22 civilians and injuring at least 15 more. Russia Today claimed that the night time event “killed five brothers from one family” with a number of houses in the village destroyed. According to News of Iraq, the…

Summary

Published
18 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
22
Civilians reported injured
15–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 April 2016

Incident Code

CI227

Location

حلبسة, Halabisa, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources claimed that Coalition aircraft struck homes in an afternoon attack on Halabsa village west of Fallujah, killing six civilians and injuring another 12 or more, “most of them children and women.” News Fallujah pictured a young survivor of the event, noting: “Yousif Mushtak Talib Al Halbusi : His mother was killed and his…

Summary

Published
17 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–9
Civilians reported injured
8–18
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 April 2016

Incident Code

CI225

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources reported that one civilian was killed and four injured after an oil refinery in northern Mosul was hit by allegedly Coalition aircraft. One source described the civilians as the ‘owners’ of the refinery.  

Summary

Published
16 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident