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

27 September 2015

Incident Code

CI114

Location

داقوق, Duquq, Kirkuk, Iraq
A strike by what at the time was an unknown aircraft killed eight civilians in Yurgon (or Alarkon) village near Duquq, according to local reports. The US led Coalition admitted responsibility for seven deaths in March 2020. Waradana at the time cited one anonymous source: “The bombing led to the destruction of a number houses……

Summary

Published
27 September 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 September 2015

Incident Code

CS130

Location

السلخة, Jala'a (Al-Salakha), Deir Ezzor, Syria
France’s first air strike in Syria was alleged to have killed at least 30 child soldiers of Islamic State, according to reports. The attack – which France later declared was a five-hour raid by multiple aircraft on a ‘Daesh training camp’ – targeted among other sites a palm grove at Al Shalkha, near the town…

Summary

Published
27 September 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
12–50
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 September 2015

Incident Code

CI115

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Local and medical sources said that 13 civilians were killed and up to six more injured after Coaliton planes struck their homes in the centre of Mosul, while three more civilians died after a shop was reportedly struck by the Coalition in the west of the city. This report references the event in central Mosul.…

Summary

Published
27 September 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
13–16
Civilians reported injured
3–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 September 2015

Incident Code

CI115a

Location

الموصل‎, West Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Local and medical sources said that 13 civilians were killed and up to six more injured after Coalition planes struck their homes in the centre of Mosul, while three more civilians died after a shop was reportedly struck by the Coalition in the west of the city. This report relates to the west Mosul allegation.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 September 2015

Incident Code

CI112

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
A single source claimed that two civilians died after “the alliance air force shelled civilian homes in Ramadi.” No other details were given. On July 7th, 2017 the Coalition admitted responsibility for the incident, reporting: “Sep. 25, 2015, near Ramadi, Iraq, via Airwars report: During strikes on an ISIS fighting positions, it was assessed that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 September 2015

Incident Code

CI111

Location

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq
In a previously unknown incident, the US confirmed in January 2016 that its aircraft had killed two civilians in a strike at Sinjar four months earlier. According to CENTCOM, “On Sept. 24, 2015, near Sinjar, Iraq, during strikes against an ISIL vehicle, it was assessed two civilians were killed. An assessed enemy combatant on a…

Summary

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