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

21 May 2015

Incident Code

CI068

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, near Bahauddin mosque, Nineveh, Iraq
Summary: A devastating airstrike on the Mosul neighbourhood of Rifai reportedly killed numerous non-combatants and injured up to 150 people. Among those killed in the event was Ayman al Hayali (who ran a clothing shop) and his family, including his wife and young son. Other sources claimed that 5 women and at least 3 children…

Summary

Published
21 May 2015
Civilians reported killed
12–50
Civilians reported injured
30–150
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 May 2015

Incident Code

CS069

Location

التوامة, Tawama, Aleppo, Syria
According to Al Jazeera and others, a Coalition strike on the al Nusra Front at al Tawama destroyed a number of civilian buildings, killing as many as seven inhabitants. Fifteen alleged militants – most described as ‘Turks’ – also died in the attack which reportedly struck two separate locations in the village. According to Sana…

Summary

Published
20 May 2015
Civilians reported killed
1–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 May 2015

Incident Code

CS068

Location

تل مجدل, Tal Majdal, Al Hassakah, Syria
An alleged 10am Coalition targeted strike on a vehicle carrying ISIL militants (including prominent Egyptian Abu Abdul Rahman) also killed three nearby civilians, according to SN4HR. However another source described the attack as being carried out by a booby-trapped motorbike. One victim was identified as the owner of a generator repair shop in the marketplace where…

Summary

Published
19 May 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 May 2015

Incident Code

CI067

Location

بيجي‎, Masahag, Salah Al Din, Iraq
Six members of one family were reported killed when a Coalition drone allegedly struck a vehicle distributing oil products to local people. Responding to questions from Airwars, an MoD spokesman said that no British Reaper drone strike took place in the vicinity of al Masahag on that date. Bayji’s Mayor, Mohamed Mahmoud said in an…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 May 2015

Incident Code

CS067

Location

تل مجدل, Tal Majdal, Al Hassakah, Syria
A 10 year old boy from the village of Tal Majdal, was reported killed at around noon in a Coalition airstrike according to a number of sources, after being hit by shrapnel. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event as non-credible. Their report noted: "After review of all available strike records it was determined…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 May 2015

Incident Code

CS066

Location

الغرة, Al-Gharah, Al Hassakah, Syria
A 65-year old man was killed in an alleged Coalition strike according to two separate investigations by international news organisations. According to his son Ahmed, Mr Hassan was walking to work in his village when shrapnel from a Coalition strike punctured his heart and leg and killed him: “He didn’t support any group,” Hassan told…

Summary

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