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

22 January 2015

Incident Code

CI030

Location

خزيمة, Aski Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
An internal CENTCOM report identified concerns of civilian fatalities raised by local Nineveh MP Abd al Rahman al-Luwayzi. According to the MP, “Arab families, fleeing the area of Aski Musil were targeted by coalition aircraft, killing or wounding ‘scores of civilians.” The town is situated on the banks of the Tigris River to the north…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 January 2015

Incident Code

CI029

Location

الكسك, Kisik Junction, Nineveh, Iraq
A Canadian airstrike at Kisik Junction was alleged to have killed between 6 and 27 civilians, according to an internal CENTCOM report. The source was an English-speaking peshmerga fighter, who had passed on his concerns to Coalition Special Forces based in Iraq. The Canadian attack had targeted “an ISIL sniper/ HMG [havy machine gun] position…

Summary

Published
21 January 2015
Civilians reported killed
6–27
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2015

Incident Code

CS046

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
An internal CENTCOM review cited reports from the ‘pro-opposition’ Step News Agency that three civilians had died when Coalition missiles struck homes in al-Shaddadi. According to the news site, “two civilian houses were targeted leading to the martyrdom of three from one family and several wounded including women and children.” The Coalition concluded that its…

Summary

Published
19 January 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 January 2015

Incident Code

CS045

Location

الطيانة, Tayyani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An adult civilian male, was reported by a number of sources as killed in a coalition airstrike on his neighbourhood.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 January 2015

Incident Code

CS043

Location

حماة, Um al Nayr, Idlib, Syria
A female civilian, a civil engineer, was reported by Syrian Martyrs to have been killed in a Coalition airstrike. Confused reporting placed her death either at Umm Al Nayr near Hama, or at nearby Kaferzita. However, VDC - which named the victim - stated that a 25 year old instead died in an attack by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 January 2015

Incident Code

CS044

Location

الحسكة, Al Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The website Syrian Martyrs identifies one man it says was killed in a Coalition airstrike near Dayr Ezzawr. He was reported as a resident of Tayana, the village where he was killed. However Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies - which named him - said that although he was from Tayana, he was killed in Al…

Summary

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