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

29 December 2015

Incident Code

CI169

Location

العربي, Mosul, Arabi and Cairo petrol station, Nineveh, Iraq
An alleged Coalition strike on two Daesh positions in western Mosul also reportedly led to an unspecified number of civilian casualties. According to NRN News, vehicles used by Daesh to transport oil were destroyed in a 1pm strike, killing about 15 militants. But the attack also destroyed the ‘Cairo’ gas station, which in turn damaged…

Summary

Published
29 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2015

Incident Code

CS161

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria
According to reports a car which was carrying a family reportedly fleeing the violence in Syria was itself struck in an alleged Coalition airstrike, killing a young infant girl. Aisha Saleh Hassan al Hameedi was reported killed and her family injured when their car was struck near A'zaz, northern Aleppo. The family had been displaced…

Summary

Published
29 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 December 2015

Incident Codes

CS160 RS0325

Location

أخترين, Akhtarin, Aleppo, Syria
A child was reportedly killed by alleged Russian and Coalition warplanes in the residential neighbourhood of Akhtarin, Aleppo. However, there are disputed claims as to whether the raids were carried out by Russia or the Coalition. LCCSY and Quasion News Agency both blamed the Coalition for the airstrikes - with Quasion noting that Russia was shelling…

Summary

Published
27 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 December 2015

Incident Code

CI168

Location

حي المثنى, Mosul, al-Muthanna, al-Masaref, al-Tahrir, and al-Qadisiyah, Nineveh, Iraq
According to single source the National Iraqi News Agency, 12 civilians died and 11 were “severely wounded” in Coalition airstrikes on the neighbourhoods of al-Muthanna, al-Masaref, al-Tahrir, and al-Qadisiyah, north of Mosul. MNN cited Kurdish official Ghyath Surja as saying the Coalition had carried out a targeted strike on a vehicle at al-Muthanna, though did…

Summary

Published
27 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2015

Incident Codes

CS159 RS0320

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
The IS-linked agency Al A’maq posted a video showing destruction in the city following reported airstrikes Local monitoring group Raqaa is Being Slaughtered suggested the attack may have been the work of the US-led Coalition: “Warplanes targeted with seven missiles on Friday night the area of February 23rd Street in Raqqa city center. This resulted in…

Summary

Published
26 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 December 2015

Incident Code

CI166

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
Military aircraft – which some sources described as the Coalition’s – reportedly killed five civilians in a Christmas Day strike. According to Al Rafidain the attack could have been the work either of the Iraq Army or the Coalition, noting that “army aviation commander Hamid al-Maliki also confirmed that army helicopters carried out a raid…

Summary

Published
25 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident