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
25 November 2014

Incident Code

CS031

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria
There were claims that a ‘civilian male’, named as Dergham Karah Ali, was killed in a Coalition airstrike on the village of Binnish in Idlib governorate. However, two videos later emerged challenging Ali’s non-combatant status. One showed him singing a moderate resistance song. The second video, posted by Islamic State, indicated that Ali had later…

Summary

Published
25 November 2014
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
22 November 2014

Incident Code

CI019

Location

يت, Hit, hospital and Zohour, Al Anbar, Iraq
Multiple airstrikes reportedly targeted Hit, allegedly leading to significant civilian casualties. News agency Herak reported one eyewitness as saying that five airstrikes had struck the city: “The first targeted outside a hospital building, and the other targeted a house near the mosque. A further air strike targeted a house in the Qadisiyah district, leading to…

Summary

Published
22 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
9–35
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Code

CI018

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
The FBI informed CENTCOM internally on November 21st 2014 that a source had alleged the deaths of “41 Yezidi captive females killed in a strike on a named OBJ IVO [objective in the vicinity of] Mosul.” The closest strike, number 999, was identified by CENTCOM as having taken place some 3.2km from the site of…

Summary

Published
19 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
41
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
17 November 2014

Incident Code

CI017

Location

القيارة, Qayyarah, Nineveh, Iraq
Multiple civilians were reported killed as a result of air raids launched by the coalition south of Mosul. The National Iraqi News Agency cited forensic sources as saying that 16 people, including six women and children, were killed. Other media reported that up to “22 Daesh militants” were also killed in coalition airstrikes in the…

Summary

Published
17 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
16
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
13 November 2014

Incident Code

CS029

Location

الحسكة, Al-Hasakah, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilian males were reportedly killed in an alleged coalition airstrike on the city of Al Hassakah, according to a single source.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS030

Location

Deir Ez Zor Oil Collection Point, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An internal Coalition report noted that civilians may have been killed near an oil collection point in Deir Ez Zor. The Coalition assessed the incident as non-credible: “Open source video indicated that three civilians were killed in a deliberate strike on an oil collection point in DeZ. 13 Nov 2014: Review could not determine that…

Summary

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