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

8 October 2014

Incident Code

CI008

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
According to an unidentified international news agency cited in Foreign Policy, there were unconfirmed reports of possible civilian casualties at Mosul after coalition aircraft heavily targeted the city – though the agency was unable to verify further given the security situation: “We were never able to confirm it.” Perhaps linked to the above, CENTCOM noted…

Summary

Published
8 October 2014
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
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Incident Date

8 October 2014

Incident Code

CI009

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
An internal CENTCOM review identified potential civilian casualties from a Coalition airstrike on an ‘ISIL checkpoint’ west of Ramadi, which appears to have been carried out by Australian aircraft. According to the internal CENTCOM document, “On reviewing WSV [weapon system video] from AUS F18F” – an Australian Super Hornet – “it was apparent that a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 October 2014

Incident Code

CS010

Location

حمام, Hamam, Raqqa, Syria
A number of sources named Khalil Ibrahim Al Sheikho.as a victim of a coalition strike on a village near Raqqah. Some of the sources mention another male [listed by Airwars as CS011] but it's not clear if the incidents are linked. One of the sources claimed that both males were in fact ISIS members -…

Summary

Published
7 October 2014
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2014

Incident Code

CS011

Location

سلوك, Suluk, Raqqa, Syria
A number of sources reported that a named civilian male as being killed in a coalition strike on Slouk near Ar Raqqah. The sources mention another male [CS010] but it's not clear if the incidents are linked. One of the sources claims both males were ISIL members but the rest of the sources say they…

Summary

Published
7 October 2014
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2014

Incident Code

CI007

Location

يت, Hit, Al Anbar, Iraq
It was reported by several sources in Hit that Coalition or Iraqi jets struck a number of civilian houses, killing up to 22 persons. Eight children and 3 women were reportedly among the dead. One of those quoted on the event was Nabil Souri, an Iraqi citizen working at Hit hospital, who learned that many…

Summary

Published
5 October 2014
Civilians reported killed
18–24
Civilians reported injured
43
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 September 2014

Incident Code

CS005

Location

الجسر العتيق, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
An alleged early morning coalition airstrike hit a small plastics factory on the Old Bridge Road in Ar Raqqah, the headquarters town of Islamic State in Syria. The strike reportedly killed the factory site’s young night watchman (or alternatively the owner). In what may be a separate incident in the city, the Syrian Martyrs website…

Summary

Published
28 September 2014
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident