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

17 February 2016

Incident Codes

CS176a RS0634

Location

تل الجاير, Al Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
An airstrike targeted a local taxi bus killing between ten and 15 civilians including up to seven children according to sources – although there was disagreement over whether the Coalition or Russia was responsible. According to the Hassakah Youth Movement, “the Hyundai belongs to Hussein Morei Al Atiya [who died in the attack]. Mr Atiya…

Summary

Published
17 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–15
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 February 2016

Incident Code

CI190

Location

الرحمانية, Ar Rayhaniyah, Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, CENTCOM issued a statement on July 28th 2016 saying that it had injured a civilian during an airstrike on Ar Rayhaniyah: The official release noted that “On February 16, 2016, in Ar Rayhaniyah, Iraq near Mosul, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that one…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Codes

CS174 RS0621

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
The Russian government accused the Coalition of killing nine civilians and injuring 26 in an airstrike on an MSF hospital at Maarat al Numan. This was later denied, with a Coalition report insisting “No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” According to a document and…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare, Education
Civilians reported killed
3–9
Civilians reported injured
26
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0624

Location

الشدادي, Al Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Reported airstrikes by the Coalition or possibly Russia on al Shadadi between midnight and dawn struck a bakery in the city killing at least 15 civilians, according to multiple reports. Shaam News and the Syrian Network said the civilians died in a Coalition strike as they queued to buy bread at an auto bakery, although…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
15–28
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Codes

CS172 RS0625

Location

الشدادي, Al-Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Reported airstrikes by the Coalition or possibly Russia on al Shadadi between midnight and dawn struck a bakery in the city killing at least 15 civilians, according to multiple reports. Shaam News and the Syrian Network said the civilians died in a Coalition strike as they queued to buy bread at Auto Bakery, although other…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
14–28
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Code

CI189

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
As many as nine civilians were killed in a nighttime Coalition airstrike at Al Qaim. While the US has conceded three deaths, one site referred at the time to “nine dead along with the destruction of civilian property, due to heavy strikes by the international Coalition at midnight yesterday on the city of Al Qaim.”…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident