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

16 November 2015

Incident Code

CI141

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
A family of six was reportedly killed after an alleged Coalition airstrike was said to have destroyed a car in the centre of Ramadi. The source of the claim appeared to be the Russian Sputnik news service, which said those killed “are from poor families, unable to flee and under the control of Daesh in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 November 2015

Incident Code

CS144

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah [exact location], Raqqa, Syria
At least three civilians died in a Coalition airstrike on Raqqa, the alliance later confirmed. At the time the Syrian Observatory cited “reliable sources’ as saying that “Coalition warplanes targeted a heavy machine gun for IS near al-Nour mosque but missed the target and killed 3 people at least by opening fire on a house.”…

Summary

Published
14 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2015

Incident Code

CI139

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
In a previously unknown casualty event, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that one civilian was killed during a US airstrike at Ramadi. According to the official release, “On Nov. 12, 2015, in Ramadi, Iraq, during a strike targeting ISIL fighters, it is assessed that one civilian was killed.” There were no reports of civilian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 November 2015

Incident Code

CI138

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Seven civilians from the same family were reported killed in the second day of alleged Coalition strikes to the south of Mosul. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as "non-credible", stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the…

Summary

Published
11 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2015

Incident Code

CI137

Location

الرفاعي, Rifai (Mosul), Nineveh, Iraq
There were claims that 12 primary school children were injured following an alleged Coalition airstrike at Rifai, west of Mosul. No other details are presently available. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as "non-credible", stating that no Coalition actions…

Summary

Published
10 November 2015
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2015

Incident Code

CS143

Location

البوثة, Bootha, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to nine civilians from two families were killed in an alleged Coalition dawn strike at the small village of al Bootha – near to the Tishreen oilfield, and close to the scene of fierce clashes between Kurdish ground forces and Daesh. The Union of Hassakah Youth initially attributed the attack to the Forces for…

Summary

Published
10 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident