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

8,221 – 13,295

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 2,984 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,905
likely injured
3,757
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,454

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 360 separate incidents of civilian harm.

402
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,183 – 29,762
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,221 – 13,295
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,538 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,391 – 2,815
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
434 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,870 – 12,564
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
778 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
696 – 1,083
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
233 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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8863 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date
26 January 2015

Incident Code

CI034

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, South, Nineveh, Iraq
Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reported two alleged Coalition airstrikes, killing five and injuring two civilians called Mohammed Mohammed Ahmed and Ebtehalf Mohammed Yosef. The first attack took place at 7.40 AM local time on the highway close to the town of Umm al-Dheban at that time. The second airstrike was at 8.40 AM local time…

Summary

Published
26 January 2015
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
25 January 2015

Incident Code

CS047

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
The Syrian Martyrs website identified a single non-combatant victim of a reported Coalition strike in Aleppo.  He was also named by the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Research which said he was originally from Idlib, though didn't specify if he was a civilian or a militant. However, all other sources described al Jolani as a…

Summary

Published
25 January 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Code

CI033

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
The previously-secret CENTCOM file also noted reports by redacted “prominent anti-ISIL Twitter users” that “civilians are being killed in the bombardment.” With so few details to go on, CENTCOM concluded that there was “insufficient evidence to determine date and time of any specific allegation.”

Summary

Published
24 January 2015
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
23 January 2015

Incident Code

CI032

Location

الرمادي, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
An internal CENTCOM report cited a Tweet on January 23rd as claiming that 6 members of one family had been killed in a Coalition strike in Anbar province. The identity of the tweeter was redacted in a publicly-released version of the file, though they were described as “Pro-ISIL… reported coalition airstrikes killed 6 family members…

Summary

Published
23 January 2015
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
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
22 January 2015

Incident Code

CI031

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
An internal CENTCOM report cited a Tweet by an Iraqi “self proclaimed freelance journalist” (identified as Mr Zyad al-Senjary) who had posted a photograph of “a partially-destroyed house and claimed 2 children were killed and several Iraqis injured in a UAV [drone] strike.” An initial CENTCOM inquiry identified 32 total Coalition engagements in Nineveh for…

Summary

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