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
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
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
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
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
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

Incident Code

CS042

Location

near al-Bo Omar, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In the January 25th 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that a civilian casualties allegation near al-Bo Omar had been assessed as non credible: “#1 Jan. 12, 2015, near al-Bo Omar, Syria via regional human rights group report. After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in…

Summary

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