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

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1082

Location

موحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two women and four children, including a newborn baby, were reportedly killed and dozens of others injured in airstrikes in Muhassan, in the east of Deir Ezzor, but it was not immediately clear who was responsible. Euphrates Post and Sharqiya Voice reported that warplanes committed the “massacre” but did not say who they believed was…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1083

Location

بقرص تحتاني, Bokrus Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A mother and her daughter were killed and seven others were injured in airstrikes in Bokrus Tahtani in eastern Deir Ezzor, local sources reported, but it was contested who was responsible. The victims were identified as a 34-year-old woman, who is the wife of Mohammed Abdullah al Kardoush, and their 16-year-old daughter. The couple is…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1084

Location

القورية, Al Quoriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two displaced families, made up of 10 to 13 civilians which included three women and seven children, were reportedly killed and others were injured in alleged airstrikes on two houses in Al Quoriya – though most sources alleged that the Coalition was responsible, one report from Step News Agency, pointed towards Russia. Sound and Picture…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1085

Location

قريب من القورية, near Al Quoriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of a civilian in an event near Al Quoriya. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that destroyed one ISIS staging location, it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed.” This confirmed strike might relate to…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1086

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least two civilian males were killed and six others were injured in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Soussa in the east of Deir Ezzor governorate, a number of local sources reported. Some sources reported that as many as six people died while JP News alleged that 15 people were killed. However, they were the…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–15
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1087

Location

قريب من الميادين, near Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of twelve civilians in an event near Al Mayadin. Their October 2017 civilian casualty report noted: "During a Coalition strike that destroyed one ISIS-held building, it was assessed that 12 civilians were unintentionally killed.” In July 2019 the Coalition provided Airwars…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
12
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident