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

15 February 2016

Incident Code

CS173

Location

حماة, Hama, Idlib, Syria
In an incident previously unknown to Airwars, on December 1st 2016 the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment on a possible incident “near Hama, Iraq”. Officials later informed Airwars that the alleged incident in fact took place near Hama, Syria. The incident was reported in the December 2016 Coalition report as: “Feb. 15, 2016,…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 February 2016

Incident Code

CI188

Location

المحلبية, Mahalabiya, Nineveh, Iraq
Three children reportedly died in an alleged Coalition strike on the village of Mahalabiya, to the west of Mosul. An anonymous source cited by Face Iraq complained that there was “constant indiscriminate shelling on the villages and areas of the city of Mosul, under the pretext of the presence of criminal elements from Daesh.” In…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 February 2016

Incident Code

CI186

Location

حي الكرامة, Mosul, Karama, Nineveh, Iraq
 A number of sources reported that at least seven civilian forced labourers were killed in an alleged Coalition on a Daesh pickup truck. The incident took place in the main street area of Karama, a neighbourhood to the east of Mosul. NRN News said that the civilians were being used by Daesh as forced labourers to demolish graves…

Summary

Published
10 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2016

Incident Code

CI187

Location

حي المزارع, Mosul, Mazari / Farms, Nineveh, Iraq
An alleged Coalition targeted strike on a secret ISIL medical facility reportedly killed 16 doctors, seven Daesh fighters and an unspecified number of patients according to a single source. According to NINA, “the international Coalition carried out airstrikes in eastern Mosul which targeted a secret hospital for Daesh elements. The attack killed 16 Daesh doctors…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 February 2016

Incident Code

CI185

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi (Al Bosaleh), Al Anbar, Iraq
There were reports of two or three civilian homes in Al Bosaleh village east of Ramadi were struck by the Coalition in the morning, killing at least 17 civilians – including up to 13 from the Alibohvd clan. Yaqen included a reported image (right) of one of the destroyed homes. However, the site also suggested…

Summary

Published
6 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
17–21
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

CI184

Location

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq
Several sources reported that an alleged Coalition air strike had hit the Qalqah area of Hit City, resulting in the deaths of up to six civilians and the wounding of 11 others, most of them women and children. Photographs obtained by the Iraqi Spring Media Center appeared to show significant damage, with a number of…

Summary

Published
4 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
8–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident