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

3 September 2015

Incident Code

CI101a

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi city: eastern area, Al Anbar, Iraq
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq noted in January 2016 that two possible civilian casualty incidents had taken place in the vicinity of Ramadi on September 3rd of the previous year. The Coalition has confirmed carrying out strikes in the area on that day. According to UNAMI, “[an] airstrike reportedly hit a residential area…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 September 2015

Incident Code

CI100

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
A single source, NINA, alleged that the Coalition had killed 13 civilians during airstrikes on ISIS targets in the south of Mosul city. According to the National Iraqi News Agency, "33 civilians were martyred and wounded, including women and children, following aerial bombardment by the international Coalition which targeted residential areas in the south of Mosul,…

Summary

Published
3 September 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 September 2015

Incident Code

CI101

Location

بين جزيرة الخالدية, حصيبة والبوعبيد, Between Khalidiya Island, Husaybah and Albu Obaid, Al Anbar, Iraq
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq noted in January 2016 that two possible civilian casualty incidents had taken place in Ramadi. The Coalition has confirmed carrying out strikes in the vicinity that day. According to UNAMI, “On 3 September an airstrike hit a bridge in Jazeera al-Khaldiya, around 20 kilometres east of Ramadi, Anbar,…

Summary

Published
3 September 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
46
Civilians reported injured
20–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2015

Incident Code

CI099

Location

مكحول, Makhul, Salah Al Din, Iraq
Reports alleged that a Coalition strike killed 11 civilians “including elderly people,” and injured 18 more. According to an activist Facebook page, “Coalition planes bombed the market in the village of Makhul, which was full of displaced people.” Another site attributed alleged civilian fatality estimates to the police, though said the airstrike responsible was by…

Summary

Published
1 September 2015
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
18
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 August 2015

Incident Code

CI098

Location

أربيل, Near Irbil, Erbil, Iraq
Three or four possible civilians were reported killed in an airstrike in northern Iraq, carried out by two Danish F-16s which each dropped a 500lb GBU-12 bomb. The possible error was discovered after a Danish review of cockpit video: “In some parts of the footage showing four people and a vehicle, there were acts being…

Summary

Published
30 August 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 August 2015

Incident Code

CS118

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
A 45-year old non-combatant male named as Haji Al Jaabri was reported killed in a Coalition strike at Manbij. According to Manbij News, Hajji al Jaabri had been forcefully conscripted by Daesh to dig tunnels in the north of the town, which had then been bombed “by Coalition drones.” The Syrian Network later issued an…

Summary

Published
29 August 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident