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

12 March 2016

Incident Code

CS189

Location

Al Mashlab, Raqqa, Syria
According to Al A’amaq Media – linked to Daesh – “A child and his father were killed in a raid by an unmanned American plane on the outskirts of Raqqa city.” No other sources in the city reported civilian casualties. However Raqqa is Being Slaughtered did note that “An unmanned plane targets a Daesh pickup…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 March 2016

Incident Codes

CS188 RS0723

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least two civilians including a girl and a woman died in airstrikes on the town of Khusham. While the majority of the sources allege that this was a Coalition incident, other reports say Russia was responsible. According to Free Deir Ezzor, Russian raids targeting oil fields in Khusham killed two civilians displaced from Qaryatain,…

Summary

Published
10 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–20
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 March 2016

Incident Code

CI200

Location

العصرية, Asriya, Al Anbar, Iraq
In a major mass casualty incident, 69 civilians were reported killed and 100 injured after alleged Coalition or possibly Iraq government aircraft allegedly struck the village of Asriyah. All of the victims were said to be from the Al Bojaber tribe. According to al Rafidain and other sources, fifteen of those killed were said to…

Summary

Published
9 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
69
Civilians reported injured
100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2016

Incident Code

CI198

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, South, Nineveh, Iraq
According to a local source, six civilians from the same family were killed after two missiles by allegedly Coalition jets struck their home in the Shura district south of Mosul. According to Yaqen News, the local Mosul source who reported the deaths also added that “indiscriminate bombardment by Coalition aircraft operations has increased dramatically recently,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 March 2016

Incident Code

CI199

Location

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq
Twelve civilians reportedly died when their homes were struck in alleged Coalition airstrikes at Hit – although no strikes were publicly declared in the near vicinity. According to local media, among those killed ‘in Coalition strikes’ were Hadi Hassan Jihad, Bashar Hadi Jihad and five other family members with several more wounded, near the secondary…

Summary

Published
7 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 March 2016

Incident Code

CI197

Location

شركة البناء الجاهز, Mosul, Industrial area in Arabi, Nineveh, Iraq
At least 21 civilians including 13 children reportedly died after an alleged night time Coalition strike on an abandoned factory in Mosul, which was being used by Daesh. The Coalition later said it had targeted an ‘ISIL weapons production facility’ in the city. This may also have been linked to the terror group’s chemical weapons…

Summary

Published
5 March 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
21–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident