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

21 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1876

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike killed and injured a number of civilians on the morning of December 21st. Although some sources reported that the incident took place on December 20th (when another similar incident occurred) the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights distinguished the two as separate events. Local sources reported the killing of 27 people, mostly…

Summary

Published
21 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
14–27
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1875

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A number of civilians, including women and children, were reported killed and wounded by an alleged Coalition airstrike on a "civilian house" in the town of Al-Shaafa on the morning of December 20th. The Coalition later admitted that two civilians were killed in the incident in Al-Shaafa. According to sources on the ground, between 6…

Summary

Published
20 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18–21 December, 2018

Incident Code

CS1877

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported the killing of the Basem Al-Hussein family as a result of artillery shelling on the town of Hajin. The bodies of eight named family members were allegedly pulled from the rubble, mostly women and an unknown number of children. All sources reported on the incident on December 21st, but the exact date…

Summary

Published
18 December 2018
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1874

Location

البوخاطر, Al Boukhater: Salahudin al Ayubi mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike caused the destruction of the Salahudin al Ayubi mosque in Al-Boukhater and killed between 4 and 19 civilians, in what was described "a new massacre". According to most local sources, 17 civilians were killed in the attack. However one source said that 13 of the dead were ISIS fighters. Syrian state news…

Summary

Published
16 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
4–19
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1873

Location

حاوي السوسة, Hawi Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported a "massacre" caused by "several missiles directed at the area Hawi Al-Soussa". All sources blamed the Coalition. The alleged airstrike reportedly targeted a house inhabited by displaced persons, and killed a number of civilians, including women and children. No exact numbers were reported. Step News for example noted that Coalition missiles "targeted a…

Summary

Published
14 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1872

Location

الشعفة زيد بن ثابت, Al Shaafa: vicinity of Zaid Ibn Thabit mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that 15 people were killed when an airstrike targeted the surrounding area of the Zaid Ibn Thabit mosque (زيد بن ثابت) in Al Shaafa. Most victims were reportedly women and children. All sources blamed the Coalition, although one source, Mena Monitor News, reported that the Coalition and SDF were responsible for the…

Summary

Published
13 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident