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
12 November 2014

Incident Code

CI016

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Jawsag, Nineveh, Iraq
Iraqi news agency NINA and others reported that seven civilians – including children – died in “international coalition raids” in the vicinity of both Denden and Jawsaq, south of Mosul city. An additional strike by the Iraq military at nearby Mithaq in eastern Mosul reportedly killed an additional 15 civilians.  

Summary

Published
12 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
11 November 2014

Incident Code

CS026

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
According to some sources, a civilian man was killed alongside two militants in an alleged coalition airstrike on Islamic State’s headquarters town of Ar Raqqah. The slain civilian was identified as a resident of Ma’ar Shoureen in Idlib. Two ‘Daesh militants’ were reportedly killed with him, one named as Mohammad Said Al Kaddour Nasser. In contrast,…

Summary

Published
11 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
11 November 2014

Incident Code

CS027

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
A number of sources cited SN4HR (in a report now lost) as claiming that two unnamed civilian males and one ISIL militant were killed in a coalition airstrike at Manbij, near Aleppo.  

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS028

Location

الشنان, Shanan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that a civilian male died in a coalition airstrike on the village of al Shanan near Dayr az Zawr. He was later named as Rashed Hamdan Al Abd Al Jassem. According to the Facebook page of local activist Abu Mohammad Al Dairi, al Jassem was one of 12 casualties from…

Summary

Published
11 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
8 November 2014

Incident Code

CS024

Location

الخريطة, Khareeta, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilian men were reported by a number of sources as having been killed in a coalition airstrike.  

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS021

Location

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilian men were reported by a single source to have been killed in a coalition strike on the city of Dayr az Zawr. They were named by the VDC.  

Summary

Published
7 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident