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

30 March 2016

Incident Code

CI210

Location

يت, Hit, Qalqa neighbourhood, Al Anbar, Iraq
An alleged Coalition airstrike on the Qalqa neighbourhood of Hit resulted in 20 civilians reportedly injured, and one child was killed. According to Hit News, the home of gas seller Lutfi Abu was also hit. News of Iraq quoted what it said was a local source: “Warplanes of the international coalition bombed residential areas behind…

Summary

Published
30 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0750

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Shaam News Network reported that one civilian died and several others were wounded in a Russian strike in Douma: “Two civilians were martyred in Al Marj area in Russian raids and one was martyred and others wounded in Douma.” However, other sources report that this was a regime action. The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
30 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 March 2016

Incident Code

CI209

Location

وادي حجر, Wadi Hajar (Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq
Four children were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Wadi Hajar to the south of Mosul, as a major military offensive to clear Nineveh of Daesh continued. According to NRN News, jets from the US-led alliance targeted the Daesh-held village which also led to civilian casualties. Responding to a request for clarification about possible…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 March 2016

Incident Code

CI208

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Eight civilians were reported killed after missiles of unknown origin struck the Al Noor quarter and Aisha mosque in western Mosul. NRN News published a detailed report: “Our Nineveh correspondent reports that four men, two women and two children were killed after the fall of a number of missiles on the neighbourhood of Al Noor…

Summary

Published
26 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 March 2016

Incident Code

CI207

Location

Mosul, Tanak neighbourhood, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents told Airwars researchers that two entire families – 21 people in total – died as a result of alleged Coalition air strikes on their house in Tanak neighbourhood in East Mosul, on March 25th 2016. This was reported in an interview with two witnesses, Jassim Khalaf and Mohammed Sabri, on June 11th 2017.…

Summary

Published
25 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
21
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 March 2016

Incident Code

CS193

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in the Al Dar’iya area of central Raqaa, in an alleged Coalition strike. According to Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered, “International coalition planes yesterday targeted a weapons depot belonging to Daesh near Hod al Furat garage in Al Dar’iya area in the city centre of Raqqa which led to its total…

Summary

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