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

13–14 August, 2015

Incident Code

CS113

Location

مروح, Marwah, Aleppo, Syria
Six civilians, all members of the same family, were killed in an alleged Coalition strike on the Daesh-occupied town of Al Mourouj (or Al Mourwah) according to multiple reports. Saudi newspaper Asharq al Awsat reported that “six civilians were killed on Friday evening [August 14th] after an international Coalition plane bombed the village of Al…

Summary

Published
14 August 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2015

Incident Code

CS111

Location

اطمه, Atimah, Idlib, Syria
A US airstrike on a Jaish al-Sunna ammunition depot in the night also killed at least eight non-combatants in the village of Atmeh, it was widely reported. According to accounts, a number of civilian homes were damaged or destroyed in secondary explosions. Graphic images showed significant damage at the scene. Five young girls were among…

Summary

Published
11 August 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
4–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 August 2015

Incident Code

CI091

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Coalition aircraft were alleged to have struck civilians some 15 km from Ar Rutbah, at the Haj Saleh Mraid Kubaisi glassworks factory. According to a number of sources, some families had fled the town for fear of airstrikes, only for members to be killed in an alleged Coalition attack on a civilian vehicle. It was…

Summary

Published
8 August 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Civilians reported injured
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 August 2015

Incident Code

CI090

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
There were claims that a Coalition strike at ar Rutbah destroyed a family home in the Askari neighbourhood owned by Yaseen Al-Hiti and Jamal Raheem Uda Al-Kubeisi – who were both reported killed along with Mr al-Hiti’s wife Zia and one or two of their children – one a daughter also named Zia. A further…

Summary

Published
6 August 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
8–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 August 2015

Incident Code

CS110

Location

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria
A number of sources named a 17-year old civilian, Ibrahim Al Hamdo Al Shabo Al Khateib, as having been killed in a Coalition strike. There were no further details.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2015

Incident Code

CS109

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A 13-year old boy described as a child soldier with ISIL’s Cubs of the Caliphate – later named as Mohammad al A’afr Al Harmoush – was reported killed in a Coalition strike at Al Mayadeen. In its July 2017 casualty report, the Coalition classed the even as non credible on grounds of having conducted no…

Summary

Published
1 August 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident