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

25 December 2015

Incident Code

CI167

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, General hospital, Al Anbar, Iraq
Fallujah’s General Hospital was cited as reporting that seven people were killed – including five children and one woman – following an alleged Coalition airstrike. Three women and a child were also said to have been injured. However, the Iraqi Spring Media Center did not attribute the incident to any party. And artillery sheling of…

Summary

Published
25 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2015

Incident Code

CS158a

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians near Manbij, Syria. Their June 2019 civilian casualty report noted: "Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally wounded due to their proximity to the strike." The Coalition provided Airwars with the location…

Summary

Published
24 December 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2015

Incident Code

CS158

Location

تشرين, Tishreen, Aleppo, Syria
In a previously unknown casualty event, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that one civilian was killed during a US airstrike at Tishreen near Manbij. According to the official release, “On Dec. 24, 2015, in Tishreen, Syria, near Manbij, during a strike on two ISIL fighters in a vehicle, it is assessed that one civilian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 December 2015

Incident Code

CI165

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
During a fierce air and ground assault on the Daesh-occupied city of Ramadi, local sources said that airstrikes had targeted the Jazeerat Al-Khalidiya area northeast of Ramadi, resulting in eight civilian deaths and 12 injuries, most of them women and children.

Summary

Published
22 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2015

Incident Code

CI161

Location

17 تموز, Mosul, Talmuz / July 17th (Medical centre), Nineveh, Iraq
Reuters reported that “About 20 people, including at least 12 civilians, were killed on Monday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, in two air strikes that destroyed houses believed to be used by Islamic State militants, six eyewitnesses and a medical source said.” According to the international news agency, “The two strikes happened within…

Summary

Published
21 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
12–20
Civilians reported injured
17–50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2015

Incident Code

CI162

Location

حي الوحدة, Mosul, Wahida, Nineveh, Iraq
In the second of three claimed incidents in Mosul on this date, it was reported that 17 civilians – including four women and five children – were killed in an alleged Coalition strike in the Wehda and Methak neighbourhoods east of Mosul. However, there was some doubt regarding the incident, with NRN News reportedly denying…

Summary

Published
21 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
17
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident