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

29 August 2015

Incident Code

CS119

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
A six-months pregnant woman named as Ghafran Al Jabli was reported killed in an event at Al Bab along with her 10-year old nephew, Mohammad Al Waki. Syrian Martyrs reported that the deaths were caused by a Coalition strike on the outskirts of the city. However VDC described the cause of death as shooting, while…

Summary

Published
29 August 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 August 2015

Incident Code

CS120

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A reported Coalition airstrike on a municipal stadium in Raqaa being used as a facility by Daesh may also have injured some civilian prisoners being held there. According to reports at least 8 alleged fighters died while the group’s local ’emir’ was injured. Claims were confused as to whether prisoners at the facility had escaped…

Summary

Published
29 August 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI097

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
A single source, the local news agency NINA, reported that 12 civilians were killed in a Coalition raid on the Rifai and Al-Najjar areas west of Mosul, including a child and four women. Four other people were said to have been critically injured. In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition classed the even as…

Summary

Published
27 August 2015
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 August 2015

Incident Code

CI095

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
A young man named as Muhannad Tariq was reported killed in a Coalition strike near the al Jandool restaurant in Mohandeseen neighbourhood. The Coalition later reported that one civilian was killed and three others were wounded in this incident. According to a comment posted on a tribute page, Muhannad died from shrapnel wounds to his…

Summary

Published
24 August 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI096

Location

سنجار, Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq
The monitoring site Iraq Body Count reported seven civilians killed at Sinjar. While these were described as Daesh fighters in reports, IBC classifies all those aged under 18 as children. At least one of those killed in the alleged airstrike was described as aged 15. In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition classed the…

Summary

Published
24 August 2015
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2015

Incident Code

CI094

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
A single source, NINA, reported that a Coalition strike on a house at Hamam al-Alil, near Mosul “led to the martyrdom of all the family that inhabited consisted of nine members, including three children and a woman.“ As NINA noted: "Local residents told the National Iraqi News Agency that the international coalition aircraft bombed a…

Summary

Published
21 August 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident