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 December 2015

Incident Code

CI163

Location

Keseir, Iraq
Six civilians were reportedly killed and three injured – all children and women – after Coalition jets allegedly bombed their house in Keseir village east of Mosul.

Summary

Published
21 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2015

Incident Code

CI164

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
A Coalition strike, possibly by drone, killed five civilians after a missile was said to have hit a restaurant in 17 Street in Ramadi. On June 7th, 2017 the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “Dec. 21, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report: During a strike on ISIS fighters, it was assessed that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 December 2015

Incident Code

CI160

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Amid heavy airstrikes on the city of Fallujah, at least four children were among up to eight people reported killed when a home was struck in an alleged Coalition attack. According to Al Fallujah News, those killed were a father, mother and their six children. News Fallujah Now, citing “medical sources at Fallujah General Hospital”…

Summary

Published
17 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 December 2015

Incident Code

CI159

Location

شارع السكلات, Hit, Alscalt Street, Al Anbar, Iraq
It was reported by several sources that the Coalition struck Hit city, resulting in the injury of eight civilians including three children and two women. According to the local site Hit News, an airstrike struck a militant vehicle carrying weapons, ammunition and food, injuring civilians in the immediate vicinity. The Coalition has confirmed targeting an…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 December 2015

Incident Code

CS157

Location

عيساوي, `Isawi, Raqqa, Syria
One person named as Ahmad Al A’bd was reported killed and his cousin Wa’el Al A’bd injured after unexploded ordnance detonated – allegedly the result of a Coalition airstrike on the village in June. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 December 2015

Incident Code

CI157

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Three professors from the University of Mosul were among four civilians and a Daesh official reported killed in an alleged Coaliton airstrike. According to the National Iraqi News Agency, Salah Mohammed Afri, responsible for student affairs, “was killed along with two [or three] professors appointed by Daesh to the Faculty of Dentistry at the University…

Summary

Published
13 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident