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

16 July 2019

Incident Code

CS1924

Location

الطكيحي, Al Takihi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources alleged that the International Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carried out an airstrike that struck the home of ISIS leader Ragheb Hussein al-Hindoura at dawn, and claimed that the airstrike killed between 10 to 15 relatives in the house adjacent to Hassan's house and wounded others. The dead and wounded relatives were reported…

Summary

Published
16 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–15
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 July 2019

Incident Code

CS1923

Location

بادية (فليطح) فلطيح, Faltih (Fletih) desert (Badit Faltih), Deir Ezzor, Syria
Abed Abdullah al-Numan, a shepherd from the town of Al Tayana, was killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike when he was out working in the Faltih(Fletih) desert (Badit Faltih), north of Deir Ezzor - near the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to local media. Suriye u.a.d. reported that the victim was killed by a Coalition helicopter, whereas…

Summary

Published
13 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

CS1922

Location

شاميكو, Shamikou, Al Hassakah, Syria
One child was reported killed, and another injured, in a collision with a vehicle belonging to the US-led Coalition in Al-Hasakah on July 4th. Haleb Today TV documented that those wounded and injured were two children, stating that a correspondent from Aleppo Today reported "a child killed and another seriously injured in a traffic accident…

Summary

Published
4 July 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Use of objects and other means
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2019

Incident Code

CS1921

Location

ريف المهندسين الأول, Rif Al Mouhandessen Al Awal, Aleppo, Syria
A confirmed Coalition strike with high-explosive missiles against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on the afternoon of June 30th is also locally reported to have injured at least two children and two women, and killed a number of foreign AQ-linked fighters. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that the strike was carried…

Summary

Published
30 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–11
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2019

Incident Code

CS1920

Location

الشحيل, Al Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a three hour operation between midnight and dawn in the al Katef neighborhood in the city of Al Shahil, at least five people were killed. Most local sources that reported on the incident claimed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were responsible, with air support from the International Coalition. According to the Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
8 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24–25 April, 2019

Incident Code

CS1919

Location

ماشخ أو الضمان, Al Daman or Mashikh village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that at least four civilians from the same family were killed in a joint operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces with air support from Coalition fighter jets around 1 am between April 24th and 25th. Baladi claimed that Coalition helicopters participated in the raid. While most sources, including an eyewitness and the…

Summary

Published
24 April 2019
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident