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

14 January 2016

Incident Code

CI177

Location

الثقافية, Mosul, Cultural group (Daash court headquarters), Nineveh, Iraq
There were effectively single-source claims that an alleged Coalition strike on a Mosul court killed 33 civilians who had been detained on petty charges by so-called Islamic State. Three judges also reportedly died. According to Al Mustaqbal, the Coalition targeted “a former Social Welfare Department building” which now functions as a court. The three ISIL…

Summary

Published
14 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
33
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

CI176

Location

القائم, Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
On October 27th 2017 the Coalition published an assessment of a civilian casualty event dated January 12th 2016, naming Airwars as the source of reporting. The Coalition’s report stated: “1. Jan. 12, 2016, near Al Qa’im, Iraq, via Airwars report. After a review of available information, it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2016

Incident Code

CI175

Location

بنك الرشيد, Mosul, Al Rasheed Bank in Zuhoor, Nineveh, Iraq
At least two civilians and as many as seven were killed, and five injured, in a confirmed Coalition airstrike on an ISIS-controlled bank in central Mosul. The attack was aimed at destroying millions of dollars of terror cash – with US officials prepared to accept up to 50 civilian casualties to achieve their objective, according…

Summary

Published
11 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2016

Incident Code

CS165

Location

سلوك, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian man named as Hmaid al Agha was reported by VDC as having been killed at Slouk in a Coalition airstrike. The website Al Sharq al Arabi also listed Mr al Agha as killed, though did not attribute responsibility. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 January 2016

Incident Codes

CS164 RS0352

Location

عين عيسى, `Ayn `Isa, Raqqa, Syria
A strike by aircraft reportedly killed five civilians. Syria News attributed the attack to Russia, while Ara News said it was a Coalition action. VDC – which attributed the attack to the regime – named five victims. In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian…

Summary

Published
9 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 January 2016

Incident Code

CI174

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Sofiya, Al Anbar, Iraq
Some local media reported that two families consisting of 14 civilians were killed in an unattributed airstrike on Sofiya in Ramadi. While Yaqen also reported that 14 civilians had died, it blamed the deaths on Iraq Army artillery. In its July 2017 civilian casualty report, the Coalition denied responsibility for the event, saying that it…

Summary

Published
8 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident