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

25 July 2015

Incident Code

CS106

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies, reported that Ahmad al Awad had died in what was described as a Coalition strike at Bukamal. While single source, a Coalition attack was confirmed in the vicinity in daily reports at the time. In its civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on…

Summary

Published
25 July 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

23 July 2015

Incident Code

CS104

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Nahiyat Sereen near Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A reported Coalition airstrike at 3.45pm killed up to seven civilians including two children, at Nahiyat Sereen near Aleppo. One young victim, Mohammad Jassen Al Abou Rakan, was decapitated in the incident, with graphic images of his body widely distributed on social media. Islamic State later published a propaganda video of the event, including interviews…

Summary

Published
23 July 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 July 2015

Incident Code

CI086

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Muthana, Nineveh, Iraq
A vehicle was reportedly bombed by the Coalition in Al Muthanna neighbourhood in Mosul, leading to claims that one civilian was killed and a further four were injured. Local residents’ site Hunaal Hadbaa said that a KIA Rio car was targeted in the attack, with shrapnel then killing and injuring civilians in the vicinity. One…

Summary

Published
21 July 2015
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2015

Incident Code

CI085

Location

مجارين, Majareen, Nineveh, Iraq
According to local MP Abdulrahman al Louzi, a dozen male agricultural workers died when the Coalition struck the village of Majareen. Among the dead were said to be five brothers from one family. The men were reported to have been converting hay to animal feed at the time of the attack. According to al-Louzi, “I…

Summary

Published
18 July 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18–24 July, 2015

Incident Code

CS103

Location

الرقة‎, Al Sabahiah area of West Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
An alleged coalition strike on an Islamic State checkpoint in a suburb of west Raqaa reportedly killed 22-year old Omar Huwaidi Al Mueissat when a missile hit the family house. His 17-year old brother Ali Huwaidi al Mueissat was also reported to have been severely injured in the incident, suffering a broken pelvis and wounds…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 July 2015

Incident Code

CI084

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
Waiter Muhannad Hisham Alnemah was killed in a US airstrike near the Al Afandi Restaurant in the main street of Hadbah neighborhood. An unspecified additional number of restaurant staff and customers were also reported killed and injured in the attack. In January 2016, CENTCOM admitted the civilian casualty incident, noting that “during strikes against ISIL…

Summary

Published
17 July 2015
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident