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

8,222 – 13,299

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 2,985 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,906
likely injured
3,760
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
19,184 – 29,766
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,985 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,222 – 13,299
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,539 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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2983 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date
17 October 2014

Incident Code

CI010

Location

عوينات, Awinat, Nineveh, Iraq
According to news agency NINA, a “US air strike on the village of Aouinat northwest of Mosul killed five civilians, according to a source in forensic medicine in Mosul.” The Al Rafidain website (in a report dated ten days after the event) placed the death toll higher at between 10 and 20, saying two houses…

Summary

Published
17 October 2014
Civilians reported killed
5–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
17 October 2014

Incident Code

CS014

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An airstrike on a gas station near the Konoco gas refinery reportedly killed between three and four civilians. A subsequent investigation by the Syrian Network for Human Rights later noted: “Around 7:00pm the international alliance warplanes targeted a gas station and an oil well in Deir Ezzor countryside which is located near Khasham town. the…

Summary

Published
17 October 2014
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
17 October 2014

Incident Code

CI011

Location

البوعجيل, Bojeel, Salah Al Din, Iraq
Reports claimed that Coalition strike hit a mosque during Friday prayers in the town of Al Bojeel, to the east of Tikrit.  

Summary

Published
17 October 2014
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
16 October 2014

Incident Code

CS013

Location

كبيبة, Kabiba, Al Hassakah, Syria
In a major night time coalition air raid targeting oil facilities used by Islamic State, five civilians including a 7- or 10-year old boy were reported killed. The dead were later named by various sources. In a detailed report on the event, SN4HR later noted: “Those civilians are from Kabiba town and they work on…

Summary

Published
16 October 2014
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
15 October 2014

Incident Code

CS012

Location

كۆبانی, Kobanî, Aleppo, Syria
A Kobanî official reported that a civilian – an 87 year old woman – and six Kurdish fighters from the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) died in a ‘friendly fire’ incident in the besieged city.It was also reported that two hospitals in the town had been destroyed. According to Sky News Arabia, Kurdish sources said that…

Summary

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

Incident Code

CI008

Location

الموصل‎, Mosul, Nineveh, Iraq
According to an unidentified international news agency cited in Foreign Policy, there were unconfirmed reports of possible civilian casualties at Mosul after coalition aircraft heavily targeted the city – though the agency was unable to verify further given the security situation: “We were never able to confirm it.” Perhaps linked to the above, CENTCOM noted…

Summary

Published
8 October 2014
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident