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

18 February 2015

Incident Code

CS055

Location

الشدادي, Al Maryajib crossroads, in area 47, Al Hassakah, Syria
It was reported that one civilian male was killed in a coalition airstrike at al Shadadi. According to Thiqah he was in the area by chance when coalition aircraft struck: “One civilian was killed and others wounded yesterday (Thursday), when coalition aircraft bombed several areas of the rural southern city of Al-Hasakah.” Activists in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 February 2015

Incident Code

CI039

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Cultural area, Nineveh, Iraq
According to NINA, citing a security source, nine members of a family – including women and children – died after coalition warplanes “bombed a house at dawn in the Althaqafiyah residential complex area in the north of Mosul, suspected of being taking a den or a hideout by Daash terrorists.”  

Summary

Published
17 February 2015
Civilians reported killed
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2015

Incident Code

CI040

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, multiple neighbourhoods, Nineveh, Iraq
According to a single source, local eyewitness claimed one unnamed civilian was killed and five others were severely injured after the coalition allegedly bombed several areas in Makhmoor, south of Mosul  

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 February 2015

Incident Code

CS054

Location

كبيبة, Kbeibah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two oil workers were killed and two others injured in a reported Coalition airstrike on a house used by workers at Kbeibah, according to a number of sources The two dead men were buried at Hadida Cemetery in Hassakah. The Syrian Network for Human Rights published a detailed report on the event: "On Wednesday February…

Summary

Published
11 February 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2015

Incident Code

CI038

Location

الموصل‎, 100km South of Mosul on ‘Road 1’, Nineveh, Iraq
An alleged coalition airstrike struck a vehicle on the road between Mosul and Baghdad, which was carrying Jordanian mosque janitor Ahmed Abdul Aqi [sometimes Baqi], his wife and daughter. All three died in the incident. The driver of the car Ahmed al Azzawi (pictured below) also died according to his family. In a detailed report…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 February 2015

Incident Code

CS052

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
A Jordanian airstrike against an “ISIL weapons compound” – in coordination with the US military – allegedly killed US aid worker and hostage Kayla Mueller, along with up to 30 militants from Islamic State. The US later said that “with the information that we have there’s no evidence of civilians in the target area prior…

Summary

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