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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

5 March 2015

Incident Code

CI048

Location

برطلّة, Bartalah, Nineveh, Iraq
According to NINA, a source in the forensic medicine department of the local hospital reported that numerous civilians died “in bombing by the international coalition aircraft [which] targeted a stronghold of the Islamic State in Bartalah north of Mosul.” Among 16 alleged civilian victims were five children and two women, whose bodies were said to…

Summary

Published
5 March 2015
Civilians reported killed
16
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 March 2015

Incident Code

CI047

Location

الجمهورية, Fallujah, Jamhouriya, Nineveh, Iraq
Aircraft bombed a primary school and a hospital in the Jamhouriya neighbourhood of Fallujah, reportedly killing up to 12 civilians and injuring 9. Local media reported that children were among the dead, including 11-year old Suhaib Jassem Batawi. According to Arabi21, the attack was the work of the Iraq Air Force and had killed three…

Summary

Published
3 March 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–12
Civilians reported injured
4–9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
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Incident Date

28 February 2015

Incident Code

CI046

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Algiers, Al Faisaliah, flowers, and July neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq
Sources in Mosul claimed that Coalition airstrikes hit a residential neighbourhood in the city, “killing 17 civilians, including six children, and wounded another 23 who were taken to hospitals in Mosul.” According to BasNews, Daesh/ Islamic State appeared to have recently shifted its headquarters and military positions “into residential neighborhoods,” a move which had likely…

Summary

Published
28 February 2015
Civilians reported killed
16–24
Civilians reported injured
23–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

CI045

Location

القائم, Al Qa'im, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to Reuters, a coalition airstrike which killed 17 Islamic State militants also caused the deaths of 9 non-combatants: “The hospital source in al-Qaim, a town on the Euphrates River, said nine civilians were killed and 29 militants were wounded in the strike by the U.S.-led coalition which is bombing Islamic State targets in Iraq…

Summary

Published
26 February 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2015

Incident Code

CS059

Location

تل تمر, Tal Tamr, Al Hassakah, Syria
A woman from the town of al-Hussainiyah- said to be the mother of four children – was reported killed in a coalition airstrike on the nearby town of al-Tamr in al Hasakah, according to sources.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 February 2015

Incident Code

CI044

Location

الرطبة, Ar Rutbah, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to Reuters, a Coalition airstrike caused significant casualties in Ar Rutbah: “Coalition planes bombed al-Rutba district, 385 km west of Baghdad, killing six Islamic State militants and 11 civilians, according to a source in the local hospital.” ARA News placed the civilian death toll from coalition strikes at Rutba at 10. In July 2017,…

Summary

Published
25 February 2015
Civilians reported killed
10–11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident