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

9 April 2016

Incident Code

CI222

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
The Coalition conducted several night raids on telephone exchanges and reportedly the Babylon Bank in Mosul, which resulted in the deaths of at least six and as many as 67 civilians. In November 2016 the US initially admitted to killing one civilian in the attack, noting that “during a strike against an ISIL tactical unit,…

Summary

Published
9 April 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–67
Civilians reported injured
9–38
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2016

Incident Code

CI220

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
According to the Iraq Oil Report, a fresh attack by Coalition aircraft on the Al Waldy clothing plant in the Al Shifa neighbourhood of eastern Mosul killed 15 civilian workers. According to the site – which uses a network of informants in the city, “On April 7 [ ] air strikes destroyed a small garment…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 April 2016

Incident Code

CI221

Location

حاج علي, Haj Ali, Nineveh, Iraq
Up to 11 civilians were allegedly killed in a reported Coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Qayyarah. According to the Iraqi Revolution site, the 11 died at Haj Ali, also the scene of a major incident the previous day. However, no additional information is presently known. Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 April 2016

Incident Code

CS198

Location

تل الجاير, Tall al-Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
A young civilian non-combatant named as Khuder Mohammad Al Assawad was reported by VDC as having died “Due to coalition air force’s shelling of a civilian car in Tel al-Jayer village.” Zaman al Wasl put the death toll higher, noting that “two civilians died as a result of a strike carried out by international Coalition…

Summary

Published
7 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2016

Incident Code

CS199

Location

جرابلس, Jarablus, Aleppo, Syria
A single source, the Syrian Observatory, reported that “no less than 13 IS [fighters] were killed by aerial bombardment by the Coalition warplanes in Jarablus, in addition to four detainees were also killed during the same airstrikes.” The Observatory’s Arabic-language report said the detainees were carrying out as punishment duty the digging of trenches for…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 April 2016

Incident Code

CI218

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Locals claimed five civilians including three children were killed and four or more people injured, after Coalition jets allegedly targeted Al Waldy clothing plant in the Al Shifa neighbourhood of eastern Mosul. NRN News published a detailed report: “Our correspondent said that the bombing killed five people consisting of a family (three children with a…

Summary

Published
6 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident