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

CI057

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Maydan neighborhood, Bab Lagash, Aqaydat, Wadi Hajar, Denden and Tayyaran, Nineveh, Iraq
According to NINA, an intensive airstrike by the Coalition at dawn killed 11 civilians and injured a further four in Mosul. Strikes reportedly hit the neighbourhoods of Maydan, Bab Lagash, Aqaydat, Wadi Hajar, Denden and Tayyaran. The news website Ajyal reported that up to 30 people had died in an airstrike on a juvenile prison…

Summary

Published
8 April 2015
Civilians reported killed
11–15
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 April 2015

Incident Code

CI056

Location

فايده, Fadhiliya, Nineveh, Iraq
Five Kurdish non-combatants, all from the same family, died in a reported Coalition strike on the village of Fadhiliyah, near Mosul. A major field investigation by the Guardian later identified the dead. Three family members survived the attack though were injured. Rahim, an eyewitness and relative, told the Guardian: “We wrapped the dead in blankets…

Summary

Published
4 April 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2015

Incident Code

CI055

Location

الوائلية, Al Waelyiah, Nineveh, Iraq
Abdarahman Alloizi MP, a deputy in the Iraqi parliament, claimed that as many as 26 civilians from one family died, when the coalition struck a house near Mosul, in the village of Al Waeliyah. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI054

Location

تل عفر, Tall Afar, Nineveh, Iraq
According to an internal CENTCOM document, according to a self-reported night time incident involving an American aircraft may have caused civilian casualties: “US F-16 may have unintentionally struck the nearest collateral object (NCO) and unintentionally struck a car that moved into the FOV [field of view.]“ The outcome of any investigation at the time the…

Summary

Published
28 March 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 March 2015

Incident Code

CI053

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, multiple neighbourhoods, Al Anbar, Iraq
Local residents reported that seven civilians died in a coalition airstrike on Fallujah, with 22 more injured. There were claims that a number of neighbourhoods were hit, including in the west and south of the city. A resident of Fallujah of unknown status, named as Shawki Al-Abdal Saidi, put out a press statement claiming that…

Summary

Published
25 March 2015
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
22
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2015

Incident Code

CI052

Location

الحويجة, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Iraq
In an event previously unknown to Airwars, an internal CENTCOM review of a Coalition strike on an ‘ISIL weapons assembly area’ at Hawijah identified a possible issue. According to the report, “ISR imagery showed that an unintentional potential ClVCAS may have occurred. Unidentified and unexpected personnel were seen IVO [in the vicinity of] the detonations.…

Summary

Published
19 March 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident