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

Incident Code

CI062

Location

القيارة, near Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq

Summary

Published
20 April 2015
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 April 2015

Incident Code

CI060

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Aden, Nineveh, Iraq
A reported Coalition airstrike on an electricity generating facility reportedly killed up tp 35 civilians and injured 22 more when nearby apartments were caught in the blast, according to reports. The US led Coalition later conceded 18 deaths in this event. At the time of the incident, NINA cited a medical source at the hospital…

Summary

Published
20 April 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
18–35
Civilians reported injured
22–50
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 April 2015

Incident Code

CI061

Location

فايده, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq
An airstrike on the village of Fadiliya near Bashiqa, north of Mosul, killed between 5 and 11 civilians according to reports. NINA, citing a peshmerga source, said that three Daesh militants and 11 non-combatants died in a coalition strike. In contrast Arb-q cited a security source as saying that an unidentified airstrike had killed “five…

Summary

Published
20 April 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2015

Incident Code

CS063

Location

متراس, Mitras, Aleppo, Syria
A shepherd was reported by the Syrian Network as having been killed in a Coalition airstrike near Mitras. Five other people were injured by shrapnel. The victim's son later described retrieving his father’s body: “The rocket caused a great hole in the ground, almost two metres deep. I buried my father’s body in the town.“…

Summary

Published
19 April 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2015

Incident Code

CI059

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
In a likely US or British drone strike, a truck was inadvertently hit during an airstrike at Ar Rutbah, according to a declassified CENTCOM report. “2 seconds prior to weapon impact, a large truck inadvertently arrived at the checkpoint. The back section of the truck was possibly damaged during the strike.” The driver was observed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 April 2015

Incident Code

CI058

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
Internal monitoring by the Coalition initially identified two possible civilian casualties from an airstrike at Hawijah. The attack, on a High Value target code-named ANDERS MESA, was carried out by an A-10 Warthog. According to a CENTCOM report declassified in September 2015, “2 civilians unseen in the collateral calls may have been killed or injured…

Summary

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