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

8 November 2015

Incident Code

CI136

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq
Locals claimed that up to 13 civilians were killed – including six children – and another five injured after the Coalition allegedly bombed a residential neighborhood in Qayyarah in Mosul. DPA also said four Daesh fighters were killed in the attack, which "destroyed about 18 tankers loaded with oil in an attack on an ISIL-occupied…

Summary

Published
8 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
11–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 November 2015

Incident Code

CI135a

Location

Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq
According to a field investigation conducted by reporters Azmat Khan and Anand Gopal for the New York Times Magazine, one civilian was killed and one injured by a Coalition airstrike on Qayyarah - both of them young children. The Coalition admitted the casualties in early 2020. Khan and Ghopal report the following: “Tibea Alla, a…

Summary

Published
7 November 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2015

Incident Code

CI135

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Heavy Coalition airstrikes on Mosul resulted in a number of civilian casualties, according to reports. Face Iraq said medical sources in the city reported no fatalities. However three civilians were said to have been injured after an airstrike hit a Daesh prison in the western Badush area of the city. And one student was said…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 November 2015

Incident Code

CI133

Location

حمام العليل, Hamam al Alil, Nineveh, Iraq
Five non-combatants were reportedly killed and four more injured after an alleged Coalition airstrike hit a home at Hammam al-Alil. According to NINA, “international Coalition aircraft bombed residential neighborhoods in the Hamam al-Alil area, and the shelling resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including a child, and the wounding of four others.” A Daesh…

Summary

Published
4 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 November 2015

Incident Code

CI134

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
In a casualty event previously unknown to Airwars, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that two civilians were injured during a US airstrike at Huwaijah. According to the official release, “On Nov. 4, 2015, in Al Huwayjah, Iraq, during a strike on an ISIL vehicle, it is assessed that two civilians were injured. The incident…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI132

Location

سنجار, Sinjar, Um Al Theban, Nineveh, Iraq
Eleven civilians were reportedly killed at Um Al Theban while crossing between Syria and Iraq, in what was claimed to be a Coalition airstrike. The incident is presently poorly reported. In its July 2017 report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of having conducted no strikes in the vicinity: “Nov. 2,…

Summary

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