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

5 October 2015

Incident Code

CI118

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
Eight civilians were killed from one family after US aircraft bombed their home in Atshana Village, in eastern Hawijah district. In a January 2016 report the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq appeared to confirm the report, noting: “On 5 October, an airstrike mistakenly targeted a civilian house in Atshana village, east of Hawija and…

Summary

Published
5 October 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2015

Incident Code

CS132

Location

الحويج, Al Huwaij , Al Hassakah, Syria
The Syrian News Network reported Coalition strikes on the village of Huwaij to the west of Al Hassakah. Step News also reported that "Coalition aircraft targets ISIS-run center in the village of Al-Huwaij and for information on the size of the losses yet." https://twitter.com/Step_Agency/status/650746647585128448 It was claimed in an associated SNN website comment by Suleyman…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 October 2015

Incident Code

CI117

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
Local sources said that two civilians were killed and seven wounded after international aircraft struck civilians in Rubeidh Al-Asriya village, in Hawijah district. In the first of their March 2020 civilian casualty reports, 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
2 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2015

Incident Code

CI116

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
At least 20 civilians were reported killed and up to 31 injured after Coalition (or possibly Iraqi) aircraft allegedly hit the Sunni Wafq state religious affairs building adjacent to one of the largest mosques in Mosul. Aircraft reportedly targeted a meeting of senior Islamic State figures at the Waqf site, which has been taken over…

Summary

Published
29 September 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
20–29
Civilians reported injured
16–34
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2015

Incident Code

CS131

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
One or more non-combatant males were reported killed in an alleged Coalition strike at Ma’adan by a number of sources. All were agreed that one unnamed man was killed and seven people injured. The Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies and Raqaa is Being Slaughtered listed, Munzer Ali Al A’asskar, as having been killed in…

Summary

Published
28 September 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 September 2015

Incident Code

CI113

Location

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq
Four members of the al-Jumaili family were killed in an alleged Coalition strike at Hit, according to reports. Mr al-Jumaili was described as a refrigerator repairman, whose home in the city’s April 7th neighbourhood was hit. The dead have been named by one of the sources. In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led…

Summary

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