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

24 February 2016

Incident Codes

CS183 RS0669

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between one and four civilians died in an airstrike on al Bukamal according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the US-led Coalition were to blame. SyrianPC said four non-combatants died in a Russian shelling of “oil separators in the Al-Hajjana area”. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently also…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2016

Incident Code

CS182

Location

Bahssa, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two civilian males named as Ahmad Salem Al A’tiya and Issa Turky Al Sulayman died in an alleged Coalition strike on a car in the village of Al Bahsa, west of al Shadadi. Al Jazeera also noted the event: “In Hassakah northeast Syria, activists reported the fall of two dead and several wounded in air…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 February 2016

Incident Code

CI194

Location

عامرية الفلوجة, Ameriat al Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Ameriat Al Fallujah council complained that a mistaken strike by undefined aircraft had hit a civilian house in the village 17km south of Fallujah, which resulted in the death of one civilian and the injuring of 7 others. According to Shaker Mahmoud, head of the council, the strike hit a house in the Heramat Amiriyah…

Summary

Published
20 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 February 2016

Incident Code

CS178

Location

مرقدا, Marqadah, Al Hassakah, Syria
The Hassakah Youth Movement was among a number of sources reporting civilians killed by the Coalition at Al Markada, saying Coalition aircraft had struck a medical facility: “News in regarding people martyred following international Coalition bombing of the hospital in Markada.” In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 February 2016

Incident Code

CS179

Location

الدشيشة, Dashisha, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two civilian brothers named as Farhan and Adnan Ali Khodar were reported killed after their motorbike was struck in an alleged Coalition airstrike. According to the Damascus Center, the two brothers were buried together. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 February 2016

Incident Code

CI192

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
As many as 26 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Ar Rutbah, in Anbar province. A video released by Daesh-linked Al A’amaq showed an apparent ‘double-tap’ strike when the location was again bombed shortly afterwards. The Yagen agency reported that “aggressive Coalition strikes killed ten civilians and wounded…

Summary

Published
18 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
12–26
Civilians reported injured
25
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident