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

28 December 2014

Incident Code

CS038

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
In one of the the worst known incidents of mass civilian casualties reportedly caused by coalition bombings, at least 51 non-combatants were killed when aircraft struck an Islamic State local headquarters, which was also being used as a temporary prison. Somewhere between 150 and 400 people were being held by ISIL on petty charges at…

Summary

Published
28 December 2014
Civilians reported killed
51–65
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2014

Incident Code

CS037

Location

الباب, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
An internal CENTCOM review reported unnamed open sources as claiming civilian casualties had occurred as a result of Coalition airstrikes. A provisional review found that there had been no international airstrikes in the vicinity of the city on that date. Airwars researchers later identified coverage from the time of Assad regime attacks on Aleppo on…

Summary

Published
26 December 2014
Civilians reported killed
4–45
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2014

Incident Code

CI025

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Al Wehda, Nineveh, Iraq
Local residents reported that an “international airstrike” involving three missiles had struck houses killing and injuring civilians. NINA claimed that five women from one family were among the dead.  

Summary

Published
26 December 2014
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 December 2014

Incident Code

CI024

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq
In an event previously not tracked by Airwars, two civilians were reported as having been possibly killed by a Dutch airstrike on December 26th, after motorbikes strayed into the kill zone during an attack on Fallujah. According to an internal CENTCOM document, it was self-reported the following day that “while conducting dynamic coalition airstrikes on…

Summary

Published
25 December 2014
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 December 2014

Incident Code

CS036

Location

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor: Ziban street, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Syrian Martyrs and other monitoring sites listed three civilian males as being the victims of a coalition strike. They were named by the VDC and Syrian Martyrs. All three men were listed as residents of Dayr az Zawr, and as having been killed in Ziban Street (شارع زيبان) in the city  

Summary

Published
23 December 2014
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2014

Incident Code

CI023

Location

الفلوجة‎, Fallujah, Al Anbar, Iraq
A woman and child may have been injured in a major Australian airstrike at Fallujah on December 21st 2014, according to an internal CENTCOM assessment. The pre-planned attack was focused on a’suspected weapons factory’ in the city. However, 10 minutes after the last bomb had been dropped by an Australian aircraft, “a probable female and…

Summary

Published
21 December 2014
Civilians reported killed
0–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident