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

26 October 2019

Incident Code

CS1935

Location

باريشا , Barisha, Idlib, Syria
Up to nine civilians including two women and three children were reported killed in the US military operation that successfully targeted ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib countryside, Syria, on October 26th, 2019. Al-Baghdadi was an ISIS leader who declared himself a Caliphate in Mosul, Iraq in 2014, and according…

Summary

Published
26 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
5–11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2019

Incident Code

CS1934

Location

الطيانة, Al Tayyana, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One or two people were killed in airstrikes on the town of Al Tayyana, Deir Ezzor governorate, in the night of October 2nd 2019. Nedaa and Deirezzor24 reported that international coalition forces launched raids and searches in cooperation with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). A reporter of Deir Ezzor 24 noted that an airdrop operation…

Summary

Published
22 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2019

Incident Code

CS1933

Location

ذيبان, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed when Coalition forces and special forces from the SDF carried out a landing operation in Dhiban, "targeting a house inhabited by people who are not residents of the town". Deir Ezzor reported that "a number of wanted persons were killed and a number of others managed to escape. Others were…

Summary

Published
20 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2019

Incident Code

CS1932

Location

الزر, Al Zer, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two unidentified men were killed by an alleged drone strike from the International Coalition in the morning of September 19th, according to local sources. It is unclear whether these were civilians. Several sources claimed the men were masked and riding a motorcycle when they were hit by an airstrike, which Euphrates Post believed to have…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 September 2019

Incident Code

CS1930

Location

بين معيزيلة و مراط‎, Between Mu'ayzila and Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The child Ali al-Ahmad was alleged killed at dawn during a landing operation carried out by the International Coalition. According to Shaam News, "a coalition landing operation with the SDF [targeted] a civilian home between the towns of Mu'ayzila and the village of Marat on the old road between Deir al-Zour and al-Hasakeh governorates." Local…

Summary

Published
4 September 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2019

Incident Code

CS1931

Location

الحداجة, Al Hadaja, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported that two civilians were killed during a landing operation from the International Coalition forces. According to Asrar7days, "local sources indicated that the US occupation helicopters carried out an aerial landing by the lake of Al-Bassel dam towards the east, reaching Wadi Al-Raml and another in Al-Haddaja village amid fear and panic among…

Summary

Published
4 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident