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

16 April 2016

Incident Code

CI226

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Several local sources reported that a man was killed along with his wife and child in an airstrike on a vehicle in the Hadbah or officers’ neighbourhood of eastern Mosul. A local tweet reported: “Martyrdom of Engineer Mustafa and his family by aerial bombing which targeted his car in the Hadbah neighbourhood in Mosul. Nothing…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 April 2016

Incident Code

CS202

Location

حمام صغير, Hamam Sagheir, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians were reported killed and ten injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hamam Sagheir village in Aleppo governorate. One of those killed was a child, who died alongside his father. The Syrian Network placed the death toll at two including a child. Syria Post said up to four died, noting that…

Summary

Published
11 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2016

Incident Code

CI224

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
According to Iraq Oil Report, at least 10 civilians died, and 20 were injured following Coalition airstrikes on Daesh bases around Mosul. Citing local sources, it noted: “On April 11, coalition air strikes also took out IS bases in Sawas in the south, Sukar on the east and the Filastin (Palestine) area on the west…

Summary

Published
11 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 April 2016

Incident Code

CS200

Location

تل حسين, Tall Hussein, Aleppo, Syria
Multiple sources named five civilian victims of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Tal Hussain. Almost all sources blamed the Coalition for the civilian deaths, although Halab News and the Syrian Human Rights Committee said Russia was responsible. The village was the scene of a major battle for control between rebels and Daesh fighters.  

Summary

Published
10 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 April 2016

Incident Code

CI223

Location

يت, Hit, Al-Bab Al-Gharbi and Ummal, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources claimed Coalition planes struck a home in the Al-Bab Al-Gharbi neighbourhood of Hit in western Anbar, which resulted in the injuring of a family. A later report said two women died in the attack on Ummal neighbourhood. In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non-credible on grounds of…

Summary

Published
10 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 April 2016

Incident Codes

CS201 RS0755

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
At least five and as many as 20 civilians were reported killed and 53 injured after heavy alleged Coalition, Russian and/or Syrian regime night time strikes on Raqqa. Most sources allege that these were Coalition and regime raids – with the Coalition responsible for those after midnight and the regime for early morning strikes. Coalition…

Summary

Published
10 April 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare, Education
Civilians reported killed
5–20
Civilians reported injured
53
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident