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

2 February 2016

Incident Code

CS171

Location

الغازلي, Al Ghazili, Raqqa, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, CENTCOM later confirmed the death of a civilian in a US airstrike in Al Ghazili, near Ayn Isa. According to the official release, “On Feb. 2, 2016, in Al Ghazili, Syria, near Ayn Isa, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that one civilian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

CS170

Location

دادات, Dadat, Aleppo, Syria
A young child was killed in either a Coalition or a Russian airstrike near Al Dadat, on the road to Jarablus. Ara News blamed the attack on Russia, while Shaam News and Halab Today among others said the US-led Coalition was responsible. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that…

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Codes

CS169 RS0492

Location

عجاجا, Ajajah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to 15 civilians were killed including two children, following an airstrike on the village of Ajajah. The attack was initially attributed to the Coalition. However later reports blamed the deaths on Russia. According to the Syrian Observatory “Two children and a man were killed and others injured in bombing by warplanes believed to be…

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–15
Civilians reported injured
9–15
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

CS168

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Four civilian men – three from the same family – were named as killed by ‘Coalition air force shelling’ near Shadadi, after earlier reports of aircraft from the western alliance circling over the town. The death toll was later raised to 10 by some sources. According to Qasioun the deaths occured after Coalition aircraft struck…

Summary

Published
27 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2016

Incident Code

CI183

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
According to multiple reports, an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hawijah resulted in at least 13 civilian deaths. Al Jazeera reported that 16 died in the incident, which it attributed to the Coalition. The Al Amaq Agency (which often distributes Islamic State propaganda) reported that 13 civilians died in a ‘Coalition strike’ while 11 were injured.…

Summary

Published
26 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
13–16
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 January 2016

Incident Code

CS167

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
There were claims by some of a wedding convoy hit in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqa on the evening of January 22nd. Al Jazeera instead said that “an unmanned drone targeted a car belonging to IS near Bab Baghadad east of the town.” The event, which took place in the Baghdad Bab neighbouorhood of…

Summary

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