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 June 2015

Incident Code

CI076

Location

Mahmoudiya, Kirkuk, Iraq
Although reporting was confused, there were claims of a fresh coalition airstrike in the vicinity of Hawija which killed a number of civilians. A Facebook page calling itself Hawija Now said that five women and 2 children died in the nearby village of Mahmoudiya. One extremely graphic image appears to show a woman survivor of…

Summary

Published
25 June 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
6–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2015

Incident Code

CI077

Location

‎القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq
Up to 17 civilians were allegedly killed during a coalition air raid at Qayyarah near Mosul, two sources claimed. NINA reported that six women and four children were among the dead. And German news agency DPA gave identical casualty figures, citing a source as saying that “the bodies of the civilians have now reached the…

Summary

Published
25 June 2015
Civilians reported killed
17
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2015

Incident Code

CI075

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Rifai and Hermat, Nineveh, Iraq
Iraqi news agency NINA claimed that multiple Coalition airstrikes on the city of Mosul killed 23 people and injured a further 21. Citing an ‘anonymous security source’ the news agency reported that “Around 23 civilians were killed, including ten women and eight children, and 21 injured in the coalition bombing” which included the neighbourhoods of…

Summary

Published
24 June 2015
Civilians reported killed
23
Civilians reported injured
21
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 June 2015

Incident Code

CI074

Location

المسحك, Mishak, Salah Al Din, Iraq
In a report published in January 2016, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq cited an incident in Bayji which an alleged airstrike killed six civilians including four children. The Coalition has confirmed carrying out an airstrike in the vicinity. According to UNAMI, “On 23 June, a house was allegedly targeted by an airstrike in…

Summary

Published
23 June 2015
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
8–27
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2015

Incident Code

CS084

Location

العدوانية, Al-'Adwaniyah, Al Hassakah, Syria
In a previously unreported incident, CENTCOM reported on January 2016 that the US had injured a non-combatant during an airstrike. The release stated: “On June 19, 2015, near Tall al Adwaniyah, Syria, during a strike against two ISIL vehicles, it is assessed that one civilian was injured when appearing in the target area after the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 June 2015

Incident Code

CS082

Location

عربيد, Arbeed, Raqqa, Syria
A reported 1am airstrike on the ISIL-occupied village of Arbeed was said to have killed two women at the home of Adel al Kharfan. Mr al Kharfan’s wife (a mother of six children) died along with her relative, the wife of Ismael al Kharfan and a mother of four. Mr al-Kharfan’s son later told SN4HR:…

Summary

Published
19 June 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident