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

21 January 2016

Incident Code

CI181

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Jaza'ir / Algeria and other neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq
Several local sources claimed 10 civilians were killed and 20 injured in alleged Coalition strikes on Mosul. According to anti-government site Yaqen, “the international airline alliance this morning carried out several air strikes” in central Mosul which in turn killed 10 civilians and ‘substantially damaged’ a number of homes. Meanwhile, the pro-government site Al Rassid…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

CI182

Location

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources claimed Coalition airstrikes had struck residential homes in Abu Teban village in Hit, west of Ramadi, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians and the injuring of a further 18 – described as mostly women and children. Responding to a request for clarification about possible involvement given declared UK strikes between Ramadi and…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
18
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

CI180

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
The Iraqi Spring Media Centre claimed that “Coalition fighters” had struck civilians in north-west Ramadi, killing 13 civilians and injuring a further 18. Particular news described the alleged Coalition strike as ‘retaliatory’ though gave no further details while noting that there was also significant material damage to civilian houses in the area. Responding to a…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
18
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 January 2016

Incident Code

CS166

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
According to the Union of Hassakah Youth, an adult male non-combatant named as Ammar Al Khayran was killed in a Coalition strke on Raqqah. According to the group, the victim “came from Mabrouka in the western countryside of Rass Al Ain.” Other sites also reported his death, which was additionally claimed for both January 17th…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 January 2016

Incident Code

CI179

Location

المعارض المنفيس, Mosul, Exhibitions area, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple local sources claimed that 11 civilians were killed and 6 others wounded after Coalition aircraft allegedly targeted cars in the Exhibitions area east of Mosul. According to the National Iraqi News Agency, residents in the city’s Exhibitions area said the casualties occurred when aircraft fired on vehicles: “The bodies of civilians were handed over to…

Summary

Published
18 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–11
Civilians reported injured
6–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

CI178

Location

تليارة, Tell Yara, Bashiqa, Nineveh, Iraq
A spokesman for the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) stated that 12 civilians were injured in a Coalition airstrike on the village of Tell Yara in Bashiqa, north of Mosul. Ghiyath Alsurja, a media official with the KDP, told reporters that the Coalition had targeted Daesh facilities in the village 17 km north of Mosul, killing…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident