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

26 November 2015

Incident Codes

CS151 RS0196

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Five to eight civilians including four children were reported killed, and 10 injured, when Russian warplanes allegedly launched several rockets on Hetten School in Raqqa, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Ara News also blamed Russia. Syria Press Report (citing the Syrian Observatory) placed the death toll at 12 and said the attack was…

Summary

Published
26 November 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5–12
Civilians reported injured
10–12
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2015

Incident Code

CI146

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
A high-ranking officer with the Iraq Army was the reported source for a highly contested claim – most likely Daesh propaganda – that French aircraft had bombed a school in Mosul, allegedly killing 28 pupils. According to German news agency DPA, Brigadier-General Thanon Sabawi from the Second Division of the Iraqi Army claimed that “French…

Summary

Published
25 November 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
28
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2015

Incident Code

CI145

Location

أبو جربوعة, Abu Jarbua, Nineveh, Iraq
According to Iraqi MP Salim Jumah, five civilians from the Shabakian tribe were killed including three children and a woman, after Coalition aircraft allegedly bombed their house in Abu Jarbua village in Bashiqa, east of Mosul. Speaking to NRN News, the local Shabak Party MP called for compensation for those killed and naming them. In…

Summary

Published
24 November 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2015

Incident Code

CS150

Location

العريشة, Al`Arishah, Al Hassakah, Syria
There were reports that two civilians named as Awwad Bandar Al Hamidi and his son (age presently unknown) Mahmoud Awwad Al Hamidi died after their vehicle was targeted by alleged Coalition aircraft on the road to Al Arisheh. Another source said the pair were on their way to the local cattle market when they died.…

Summary

Published
24 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Codes

CS149 RS0181

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center listed five non-combatants, including two women and one child, as killed in an alleged Russian or Coalition airstrike near Al Bukamal. At least two of those killed were said to work for the local electricity company, who died when an oil tank was targeted. VDC named two male victims and additionally…

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Codes

CS148 RS0178

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A number of sources reported that an adult woman from Soran in Hama governorate was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah. Violations Documentation has published the name & photo of the victim which as said he was killed due to the coalition air force's shelling.  In their January 2020 civilian casualty assessment, the US-led…

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident