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

31 October 2015

Incident Code

CI131

Location

المحلبية, Mahalabiya, Nineveh, Iraq
Four people from one family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike, after missiles hit a civilian home. While a number of outlets reported the incident there are no more details presently available. In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this…

Summary

Published
31 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 October 2015

Incident Code

CS141

Location

الهول, Al Hawl, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilian men were reported killed when their vehicle was struck in a Coalition airstrike, according to reports. This incident is presently single source only with VDC naming the three men. In its July 2017 monthly report, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of proximity: “Oct. 31, 2015, near Al Hawl,…

Summary

Published
31 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 October 2015

Incident Code

CS142

Location

مسطاحة, Mestaha, Aleppo, Syria
Three teenage civilian males were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike. They are listed as being from Mestaha in Aleppo but it is not clear whether they were killed there.  This incident is currently single source.  

Summary

Published
31 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 October 2015

Incident Code

CI131a

Location

Qayyarah City Hall, Qayyarah City Hall area, Nineveh, Iraq
More than four years after the event, the Coalition finally conceded the death of a civilian during an October 2015 airstrike on Qayarrah. According to a field investigation conducted by reporters Azmat Khan and Anand Gopal for the New York Times Magazine, one civilian was killed by a Coalition airstrike on Qayyarah in this incident.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 October 2015

Incident Code

CI130

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Three civilian homes were hit in an alleged night time Coalition airstrike – killing an unspecified number of civilians, according to local reports. The event took place near So’dud School and al Tawfiq mosque in Jugheifi neighbourhood. Al Fallujah News posted a picture of a burning building, though said the damage was instead due to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 October 2015

Incident Code

CS140

Location

البلعوم, Baloum, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to reports civilian facility guard Waleed Mekhlef Al Abbad was killed in a Coalition raid on the Al Omar oil field. According to local reports, midnight airstrikes were followed by a raid involving up to six Coalition helicopters. Ara News cited media activist Yasser al-Dairi from Al Mayadeen as saying the raid “targeted an…

Summary

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