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

3 June 2015

Incident Code

CI070

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, industrial district, Kirkuk, Iraq
A Coalition airstrike on an Islamic State depot levelled a significant number of buildings, killing an estimated 85 civilians and a large number of militants. A large supply of TNT explosive detonated after the IED-making facility was struck. Bas News described the attack as one of the worst mass casualty incidents in Iraq since the…

Summary

Published
3 June 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
70–85
Civilians reported injured
80–100
Military actors reported killed
80–100
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2015

Incident Code

CS073

Location

أم حجرة, Umm Hajarah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilian men were reported killed in a combined ground and air assault on the village of Umm Hajra. The Hassakah Youth Union blamed the attack jointly on Kurdish ground forces – which it said had mortared the town – as well as Coalition airstrikes: “This is even though the village is free from the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI069

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
A single source claimed that 11 civilians “including women and children” died when coalition aircraft struck targets to the east of Mosul. No further details were given. In July 2017, the Coalition classed the event as non credible on grounds of available evidence: “May 31, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via Airwars report: The report contained…

Summary

Published
31 May 2015
Civilians reported killed
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 May 2015

Incident Code

CS071

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
During a series of Coalition airstrikes against Islamic State in the vicinity of Ar Raqqah, a checkpoint was bombed at around 2pm. According to reports, a minibus carrying female agricultural workers was caught in the blast, killing between 6 and 10 women and reportedly injuring at least four. All of the female victims were reported…

Summary

Published
26 May 2015
Civilians reported killed
6–12
Civilians reported injured
4–10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 May 2015

Incident Code

CS072

Location

رأس العين, Road between Al I'dwania and Raja’an, Al Hassakah, Syria
A number of sources reported that a “civilian car” was struck “on the road between Al I'dwania and Raja’an,” near Al Hassakah, killing a family of four. Those killed were described as a man, his wife, mother and daughter – all from the village of Raja A’an in Ras al-Ain.  

Summary

Published
26 May 2015
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 May 2015

Incident Code

CS070

Location

أبو شاخات, Abu Sheikhat, Al Hassakah, Syria
A Kurdish ground offensive backed by Coalition strikes reportedly killed six civilians in Abu Sheikhat and Tal Nass villages, to the west of Ras al-Ain. Among those reported killed at Abu Sheikhat were a young female child and three non combatant men. At nearby Tal Nass village, Adalah also alleged that two children were killed…

Summary

Published
24 May 2015
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident