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

18 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1888

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what was described as a "massacre", local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the town of Al-Baghouz Tahtani east of Deir Al-Zour, killing between 6 and 39 civilians including women and children. Most sources reported that the civilians were struck while fleeing areas under ISIS control. However one local source, who did…

Summary

Published
18 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
15–39
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1887

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A house in the town of Al Soussa was struck by what sources described variously as a drone strike, airstrikes, artillery shelling, a rocket or a rocket-propelled grenade, killing two named brothers. Three of their other brothers were reported injured. Although one source implied the brothers were members of ISIS, this was not mentioned by…

Summary

Published
13 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
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

10 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1885

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike struck a field hospital in the outskirts of the town Al Soussa in the eastern suburb of Deir Ezzor on the night between Thursday January 10th and Friday January 11th, killing more than 15 non-combatants including doctors and wounded patients being treated by ISIS on the site, according to reports. It is…

Summary

Published
10 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
1–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1886

Location

البوبدران, Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to sources on the ground, air and artillery strikes targeted the town of Al Boubadran, which allegedly resulted in the deaths and injuries of an unspecified number of civilians. Most sources blamed the Coalition. Sousseh Facebook page specifically blamed "heavy shelling by French artillery and criminal airstrikes." Although some sources also alleged that SDF artillery…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9–10 January, 2019

Incident Code

CS1884

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to sources on the ground, a family of five civilians was killed "by artillery shelling of SDF" on their house in the town of Al Soussa. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the family consisted of three children and their parents who were all killed. The Network dated the incident to January…

Summary

Published
10 January 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1883a

Location

المرشدة, Marishidah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an event previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians and the injury of another near Marishidah, Syria. This was later declared to be a US-only civilian harm event. In its July 2019 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted the following: "Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against…

Summary

Published
5 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident