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

6 February 2015

Incident Code

CS053

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
A coalition airstrike allegedly killed four unnamed civilian males in the vicinity of Al Shadadi, according to VDC. The Step news agency reported multiple coalition strikes in the vicinity: “The Alliance today carried out a number of raids on ISIL targets south of Al Hassakah. Five missiles fell on the city of Shadadi followed by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 February 2015

Incident Code

CS051

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An internal CENTCOM review cited claims from a redacted Twitter user that “Coalition aircraft killed an entire family in an airstrike on Ar Raqqah ‘in response to the killing of Jordanian pilot Mu’adh al-Kasasibah.’ The allegation was accompanied by an attached photo showing the alleged victims wrapped in white cloth.“ An internal review found that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 February 2015

Incident Code

CI036

Location

الموصل‎, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq
An internal post-strike review for CENTCOM of full-motion video revealed a “possible child entering a targeted bunker and then disappearing out of the field of view (FOV) approximately 19 minutes before Strike.” The dynamic strike, conducted by a French Mirage 2000 using a Bu-49 bomb, killed an estimated five enemy fighters. Claims that a child…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 February 2015

Incident Code

CS050

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
In a second alleged incident in the area for this night, it was reported that civilian oil workers died in a Coalition attack. According to Thiqa, “preliminary reports refer to the fall of the martyrs among civilians working in the oil, as well as a number of wounded civilians arrived at the field hospital located…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 February 2015

Incident Code

CS049

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Major coalition air raids on the oil fields around Shadadi reportedly led to the deaths of up to four non-combatants. Residents described a significant attack, with one site reporting: “Among the most prominent oil fields targeted were Al Rawees and Al Howyaziah east of Shadadi. The fires are also still burning in Kabiba close to…

Summary

Published
2 February 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2015

Incident Code

CS048

Location

الطيانة, Eastern Al Buwaida or Kobane, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A non-combatant civilian male, Abd Al Rahman Ahmad Bkar, from the town of Al Kussair near Homs was reported killed in an airstrike. While Syrian Martyrs attributed the strike to the Coalition, VDC blamed the Assad regime. Other reports were unclear. The location of the man’s death was also confused, given variously as Kobane in…

Summary

Published
29 January 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident