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

19 September 2015

Incident Code

CS127

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Two women, sharing the same surname, al-Naji, were reported by a single source as having been killed in a Coalition strike at Raqaa. They are listed as originally from Talbissa is Homs. No other details about this even are presently known. In its monthly civilian harm assessment report for November 2019 – published on January…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 September 2015

Incident Code

CI106

Location

الصينيه, Senjah, Salah Al Din, Iraq
A mass casualty incident was reported in Iraq, with at least 43 civilians killed and a further 68 injured, after aircraft were said to have bombed the Senyah region north west of Bayji. The target appeared to have been a former Iraq Army logistics base, while those killed were living nearby in tin shacks. Locals…

Summary

Published
18 September 2015
Civilians reported killed
43–58
Civilians reported injured
68–70
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2015

Incident Code

CI105

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
A reported evening airstrike by a drone or other Coalition aircraft at Hawijah was said to have killed five civilians and injured a further seven or more people. Al Amaaq, the media wing of ISIS, reported the "Killing [of] five civilians and wounding of seven others in the bombing by a US aircraft in the…

Summary

Published
17 September 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
7–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 September 2015

Incident Code

CS126

Location

جديد عقيدات, Jadid Akidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six civilians were reported killed and 10 injured in either a Coalition or Assad regime airstrike. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “Six civilians were killed including children while no less than 10 others were wounded by the aerial bombardment by the U.S led coalition warplanes in Jadid Akidat in the eastern countryside…

Summary

Published
16 September 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
5–13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2015

Incident Code

CI104

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
The marketplace in Ar Rutbah was hit in an alleged Coalition airstrike according to reports, killing up to five people and injuring eight more. An adult male and a young male child were pictured among the dead. Iraqi Revolution for example reported that "heavy shelling targeted Rutba focused on the market and fuel station and…

Summary

Published
14 September 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 September 2015

Incident Code

CS125

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 15 Islamic State fighters, including two aged under 16, were reported killed by a Coalition airstrike 10km west of Ma’dan. The teenage boys were said to be members of the ISIL youth movement ‘Cubs of the Caliphate.’ One report said that a checkpoint was targeted. In their May 2020 civilian casualty report, the…

Summary

Published
13 September 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident