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

3 April 2016

Incident Code

CI214

Location

حي الجري, Hit, Jerri and Amina, Al Anbar, Iraq
Locals reported that eight civilians died after the Coalition or Iraq government aircraft struck the Jerri and Amina neighbourhoods of Hit. The Coalition has denied responsibility. Among those killed was a family of six: a Facebook tribute page noted: “This is a picture of the martyr Riad Ahmed Rzeyk, who was forced out of his…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 April 2016

Incident Code

CS195

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A targeted airstrike on Daesh officials in vehicles outside the Al Nour mosque in Al Daraiyeh also killed up to five civilians and injured as many as 30 more. The US later admitted responsibility for the attack, noting: “near Raqqah, Syria, against ISIL tactical unit, it is assessed that three civilians were killed after entering…

Summary

Published
1 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 March 2016

Incident Code

CI211

Location

Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
The Al Najmawi family’s flour mill in Granary Street, eastern Mosul was struck in an alleged Coalition airstrike, leading to casualties among the civilian workers inside. Qoraish reported that the attack took place at the 10.30am local time, with two strikes approximately five minutes apart. It claimed there were no Daesh forces present. NRN News…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 March 2016

Incident Code

CI212

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources claimed Coalition aircraft struck the Haswa and Jumeila neighbourhoods in Fallujah at around 9.30pm, hitting civilian homes and causing the deaths of five civilians including two children, and the wounding of seven more civilians. Al Sharqiya published the most detailed report, saying that Coalition aircraft strikes “resulted in the deaths of five people,…

Summary

Published
31 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 March 2016

Incident Code

CI213

Location

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources claimed that Coalition aircraft targeted a civilian car in Hit and killed the driver, who was said to have no links to so-called Islamic State. According to News of Iraq, the aircraft had been targeting a Daesh VBIED “driven by a suicide bomber” but that the attack also led to the destruction of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 March 2016

Incident Code

CS194

Location

الصالحية, Sala Heya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of three civilians in an artillery strike near Sala Heya. Their December 2016 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike on an ISIL mortar system, it was assessed that three civilians were inadvertently killed by Coalition counter-battery artillery near the point…

Summary

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