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

31 July 2015

Incident Code

CI089

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
In a major incident, up to 46 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike (according to the Iraqi Revolution site) on the town of Ar Rutbah. The UN Mission to Iraq expressed “serious concern” about the event. The attack, which occurred shortly after dawn, reportedly killed a significant number of children, with graphic photographs widely…

Summary

Published
31 July 2015
Civilians reported killed
27–46
Civilians reported injured
70
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2015

Incident Code

CS108

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five members of one family including three children were killed in a reported 1.30am Coalition strike on the Syria-Iraq border, according to two sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted the following: “Suspected US-led coalition warplanes carried out several raids after midnight on places around Aysha hospital and other places around the city of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 July 2015

Incident Code

CI088

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local sources reported that four non-combatants were killed and six injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike at Ar Rutbah. According to Iraqi Revolution, "the alliance bombed Rutba in the morning, leading to the martyrdom and wounding of 10 civilians." Iraq Body Count, citing Xinhua [source now lost], said that four civilian fatalities had been reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 July 2015

Incident Code

CS107

Location

كفرهند, Kafr Hind, Idlib, Syria
A US targeted air strike (possibly by drone) aimed at four al-Nusra Front suspects traveling in a vehicle also killed up to 10 civilians including six children. The US has admitted three deaths in the event. Reporting at the time was somewhat confused. Some sources said a vehicle was wrongly targeted killing four civilians. The…

Summary

Published
28 July 2015
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2015

Incident Code

CI087

Location

الشرقاط, Shirqat, Nineveh, Iraq
A US airstrike on a convoy of Islamic State vehicles also injured at least one civilian, CENTCOM conceded some months later. According to a press statement issued on January 29th 2016, “On July 27, 2015, near Ash Sharqat, Iraq, during strikes against ISIL vehicles, it was assessed one civilian was injured.” Local media said that…

Summary

Published
27 July 2015
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2015

Incident Code

CS105

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians were reported injured in fresh coalition airstrikes on the outskirts of Raqaa. Images distributed by Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently featured an injured boy, among other victims, receiving treatment after the event. These photographs were subsequently removed, though are archived by Airwars. In July 2017 the Coalition said it had classed the event…

Summary

Published
25 July 2015
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident