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

7 December 2019

Incident Code

CS1940

Location

طريق بين عفرين وإعزاز، قريب من تقاطع قيبار, Road between Afrin and A’zaz, close to Qibar Junction, Aleppo, Syria
Up to three people were reported killed - one of whom was said to be a militant leader in the Ahrar al-Sham Movement which is affiliated with the Syrian National Army - in an alleged Coalition drone strike on their car on Afrin- Azaz road in Aleppo, Syria, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources.…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
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

3 December 2019

Incident Code

CS1939

Location

أطمة, Atma, Idlib, Syria
A militant leader, named as Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir, was killed when his vehicle was reportedly struck by the US-led Coalition, local sources said. Reports added that two of Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir's "companions" also died in the strike, though their combat status was unclear. A private source told Baladi News: "A reconnaissance plane ammunition by the…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 November 2019

Incident Code

CS1939a

Location

قرب قرية الميلبية على طريق الشدادي, near Al Milbiya village on Al Shadadi road, Al Hassakah, Syria
SANA reported: "A number of civilians were injured when a convoy for US occupation forces hit a microbus on al-Shadadi road in Hasaka southern countryside. The SANA reporter said that a convoy for US occupation forces on Wednesday [Nov 25th] afternoon hit a microbus carrying civilians near al-Milbiyah village on al-Shadadi- Hasaka road in the…

Summary

Published
27 November 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2019

Incident Codes

CS1938 ISSY007 RS4199

Location

ترحين, Tarhin, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian, Syrian regime, Israeli or US-led Coalition airstrikes on Tarhin village, Aleppo governorate, on November 25th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians were wounded. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "local sources said that six explosions were heard in different areas, and…

Summary

Published
25 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition, Israeli Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2019

Incident Code

CS1937

Location

حي اللطوة, Latwa neighbourhood, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male was killed and one woman and five children from the same family injured after an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted their home in Al Latwa neighbourhood of the town of Dhiban, Deir Ezzor governorate, on November 22nd, 2019, according to local sources. Two members of the SDF were also reported killed and another…

Summary

Published
22 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2019

Incident Code

CS1936

Location

خبيرة, Khubeirah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three tents were reportedly bombed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Khabira area in the northeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It is unclear how many people died in this event. The Observatory reported that "the tents were set up about a week ago by people who claimed to…

Summary

Published
8 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident