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

8,220 – 13,294

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
5,904
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
19,182 – 29,761
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,220 – 13,294
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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2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

1 May 2020

Incident Code

CS1944

Location

حقل كونيكو النفطي, Koniko Oil Fields, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian was reported killed on May 1st, 2020 allegedly by a sniper bullet fired at him by the American troops in Koniko oil field in Deir Ezzor or by YPG/QSD members who guard the oil field as local sources said. The victim who worked as a teacher in Raqqa city was identified as Yasser…

Summary

Published
1 May 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2020

Incident Code

CI880

Location

مطار كربلاء الدولي, Karbala International Airport, Karbala, Iraq
Three civilians were reportedly killed and two others injured in alleged American airstrikes in on Karbala International Airport which was under construction in Karbala governorate on March 13th, 2020, according to local sources. The incident is also believed to have killed three belligerents and the injury of nine, two of whom are in critical condition.…

Summary

Published
13 March 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 February 2020

Incident Code

CS1943

Location

خربة عمو, Road between Khirbet Amo and the Allaya neighborhood on the outskirts of Al Qamishli, Al Hassakah, Syria
One man was killed and three civilians were wounded in clashes between American troops and Syrian regime forces near the village of Khirbet Ammo, Al Hasaka governorate, on February 12th, 2020, according to local sources. It remains unclear if the killed man was a civilian or a member of an armed group. Sana reported that "American…

Summary

Published
12 February 2020
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 January 2020

Incident Code

CI879

Location

مطار بغداد الدولي‎, Baghdad International Aiport, Baghdad, Iraq
Possibly one civilian was killed and an unknown number of civilians injured in a confirmed U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian national Qassam Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, on Baghdad International Airport at January 3rd, 2020. The New York Times reported that an "American MQ-9 Reaper drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving…

Summary

Published
3 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 December 2019

Incident Code

CS1942

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Around ten people were killed and an unknown number wounded in alleged Coalition artillery strikes that reportedly targeted Iranian and Lebanese militias in the city of Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, on December 25th, 2019, according to local sources. It is unclear if those killed were civilians or belligerents. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
25 December 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2019

Incident Code

CS1941

Location

دوار قرموطي, Qarmouti Roundabout, Al Hassakah, Syria
Manar Saqer, female, aged 27, was reported killed on December 21st 2019, after she was run over by a US-led Coalition vehicle (truck) near Qarmouti square in Qamishli, Syria, according to local sources. Manar was reported hit while she was returning back from her work around 17:30 local time. Another source believed the victim killed…

Summary

Published
21 December 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident