Research

All major publications from Airwars’ documentation, research, investigations and policy teams

31 posts
8 Apr, 2021
Policy
Yemen

Mwatana blasts CENTCOM silence on civilians killed in Yemen

The Yemeni human rights group Mwatana has accused US Central Command of being “very disrespectful to victims”, after it emerged that CENTCOM has still not publicly responded to a major investigation into civilians killed by US airstrikes and ground raids. Given five months’ advance notice of the findings of the investigation, which comprehensively detailed the […]
28 Oct, 2020
Report, Research
Yemen

Trump in Yemen: New Airwars study shines light on opaque campaign

A new Airwars investigation into the ongoing US counterterrorism campaign in Yemen has identified at least 86 civilians likely killed by US actions during Donald Trump’s presidency – though the US military has admitted to no more than a dozen deaths. Eroding Transparency, researched and written by Mohammed al-Jumaily and Edward Ray, examines US air […]
9 Jul, 2020
Update
Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Türkiye, Yemen

New UN report insists Soleimani assassination by US was ‘unlawful’

The US assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in Baghdad in January 2020, was unlawful on several counts, according to a new report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council by its expert on extrajudicial killings. Dr Agnes Callamard, the current UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial Executions, […]
7 Aug, 2019
Update
Iraq, Syria

Five years of war and ISIS is defeated as a territorial entity – but civilian deaths remain largely uncounted

The fifth anniversary of the international war against so-called Islamic State has seen the total defeat of the terrorist group as a territorial entity in both Iraq and Syria. Now degraded to insurgency, the US and its allies try to contain the jihadist organisation. However, after five years of fighting the cost to civilians on […]
8 Aug, 2018
Update

Four years of war and ISIS is almost defeated – but at what cost?

The fourth anniversary of the international war against ISIS sees the terror group almost defeated - though many thousands of civilians have died in the heavy fighting.
8 Aug, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

Four years of war and ISIS is almost defeated – but at what cost?

The fourth anniversary of the international war against ISIS sees the terror group almost defeated - though many thousands of civilians have died in the heavy fighting.
24 May, 2018
Research

Airwars monthly assessment: April 2018

Civilian fatalities from international military actions in both Iraq and Syria were at record low levels during April.
24 May, 2018
Update

Airwars monthly assessment: April 2018

Civilian fatalities from international military actions in both Iraq and Syria were at record low levels during April.
5 Apr, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

Counting the dead in Mosul

Thousands of civilians were killed during the battle for Mosul, but there is no official death toll.
5 Apr, 2018
Update

Counting the dead in Mosul

Thousands of civilians were killed during the battle for Mosul, but there is no official death toll.
12 Mar, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

Raqqa: a city destroyed then forgotten

Tens of thousands of US bombs and missiles helped drive Islamic State from Raqqa. But now the dead are being forgotten.
12 Mar, 2018
Update

Raqqa: a city destroyed then forgotten

Tens of thousands of US bombs and missiles helped drive Islamic State from Raqqa. But now the dead are being forgotten.
7 Mar, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

UN investigators accuse the US-led Coalition and Russia of likely violating laws of war in Syria

In 2015, the UN Commission said it wouldn't investigate foreign airstrikes in Syria. Now it is citing Security Council members for unlawful strikes.
7 Mar, 2018
Update

UN investigators accuse the US-led Coalition and Russia of likely violating laws of war in Syria

In 2015, the UN Commission said it wouldn't investigate foreign airstrikes in Syria. Now it is citing Security Council members for unlawful strikes.
16 Dec, 2017
Update
Iraq, Syria

Measuring the cost of Iraq’s victory over ISIS

Iraqi forces supported by the international Coalition have driven so-called Islamic State from the nation's cities and towns. The cost in lives has been significant.
16 Dec, 2017
Update

Measuring the cost of Iraq’s victory over ISIS

Iraqi forces supported by the international Coalition have driven so-called Islamic State from the nation's cities and towns. The cost in lives has been significant.
19 Oct, 2017
Update
Iraq, Syria

More than 1,800 civilians killed overall in defeat of ISIS at Raqqa, say monitors

The former ISIS 'capital' has been captured from the terror group after months of hard fighting. But the cost to civilians - and for the city itself - has been high.
19 Oct, 2017
Update

More than 1,800 civilians killed overall in defeat of ISIS at Raqqa, say monitors

The former ISIS 'capital' has been captured from the terror group after months of hard fighting. But the cost to civilians - and for the city itself - has been high.
17 Jul, 2017
Update
Iraq, Syria

Coalition civilian casualty claims double under Donald Trump

Our investigation for the Daily Beast examines why likely civilian deaths in the war against ISIS have doubled under Donald Trump
17 Jul, 2017
Update

Coalition civilian casualty claims double under Donald Trump

Our investigation for the Daily Beast examines why likely civilian deaths in the war against ISIS have doubled under Donald Trump
26 May, 2017
Update

EXCLUSIVE: US officials confirm their Coalition allies have killed 80 civilians – but none will accept responsibility

Claims by America's Coalition allies to have caused no civilian harm are shown to be false - yet none will accept liability
26 May, 2017
Update

EXCLUSIVE: US officials confirm their Coalition allies have killed 80 civilians – but none will accept responsibility

Claims by America's Coalition allies to have caused no civilian harm are shown to be false - yet none will accept liability
23 May, 2017
Update

International airstrikes and civilian casualty claims in Iraq and Syria: April 2017

Civilians are at increased risk of harm from US airstrikes under President Trump, months of data indicate
23 May, 2017
Research

International airstrikes and civilian casualty claims in Iraq and Syria: April 2017

Civilians are at increased risk of harm from US airstrikes under President Trump, months of data indicate
13 Apr, 2017
Update

International airstrikes and civilian casualty claims in Iraq and Syria: March 2017

More civilians were likely killed by the Coalition in March than any other month of the war against ISIL - with a record number of bombs and missiles also released
13 Apr, 2017
Research

International airstrikes and civilian casualty claims in Iraq and Syria: March 2017

More civilians were likely killed by the Coalition in March than any other month of the war against ISIL - with a record number of bombs and missiles also released
17 Mar, 2017
Update
Iraq, Syria

As claims escalate under Trump, Airwars tracks 1,000th alleged Coalition civilian casualty event

Coalition civilian casualty claims for 2017 indicate record number of fatalities in Iraq and Syria
17 Mar, 2017
Update
Iraq, Syria

As claims escalate under Trump, Airwars tracks 1,000th alleged Coalition civilian casualty event

Coalition civilian casualty claims for 2017 indicate record number of fatalities in Iraq and Syria
24 Feb, 2017
Update

Hundreds of civilians killed in Turkish capture of al-Bab, as Ankara eyes Kurdish-held Manbij

UN says at least 300 civilians died in Turkey's battle for al-Bab - setting dangerous precedent for north Syria
24 Feb, 2017
Update
Syria

Hundreds of civilians killed in Turkish capture of al-Bab, as Ankara eyes Kurdish-held Manbij

UN says at least 300 civilians died in Turkey's battle for al-Bab - setting dangerous precedent for north Syria