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

11 September 2015

Incident Code

CS124

Location

الطوب, Al Toub, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies,  reported that three non-combatant males, sharing the same surname of al Khoudar, died in an alleged Coalition strike at Al Toub. No further details were given. Syrian Martyrs also listed the dead while quoting the same source. In its monthly civilian harm assessment report for…

Summary

Published
11 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

10 September 2015

Incident Code

CI103

Location

كبيسة, Kabaisa, Al Anbar, Iraq
In a casualty event previously unknown to Airwars, CENTCOM confirmed on April 22nd 2016 that two civilians were killed and four injured during a US airstrike at Kubaisah. According to the official release, “On Sept. 10, 2015, in Kubaysah, Iraq, near Hit, during a strike on an ISIL checkpoint, it is assessed that two civilians…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 September 2015

Incident Code

CS123

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria
Up to 20 adult civilians were reported killed and injured alongside 15 children after Coalition aircraft reportedly bombed forcibly-engaged civilians who were being forced to dig ditches by Islamic State. The children reportedly belonged to ISIL’s Cubs of Al Khilafa youth organisation. The casualties occurred in the morning at the village of Krin, west of…

Summary

Published
9 September 2015
Civilians reported killed
30–40
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2015

Incident Code

CS122

Location

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies, reported that a non-combatant male named as Khitab al Zaher Al Hussein died in an alleged Coalition strike on Dayr ez Zawr. Mr al Hussein was reportedly from al Kharita in the province. The two sources were unclear as to whether he had died in Deir…

Summary

Published
6 September 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

5 September 2015

Incident Code

CI102

Location

عنه, Anah al Jadidah, Al Anbar, Iraq
The Iraqi Revolution site reported that “NATO planes” [sic] carried out two overnight raids on the town of Ana, which allegedly injured women and children. According to the claims, one of the two strikes targeted a residential neighbourhood. NINA also reported civilian fatalities from a strike in the area, describing the fatalities as occurring when…

Summary

Published
5 September 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 September 2015

Incident Code

CS121

Location

تل براك, Tall Birak, or villages to the south, Al Hassakah, Syria
Reports emerged on the evening of September 5th that a 13-year old boy named as Abboud Al Kharnoub may have died in a Coalition strike in the vicinity of Tal Brak near al Hassakah. Baladi News also reported that a number of women were injured, without giving further details. It also said that the casualties…

Summary

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