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

Search

2981 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

12 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1871a

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of a civilian in an event near Hajin, Syria. The Pentagon later declared this to have been a US-caused incident. Their September 2019 civilian casualty report noted: "Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally wounded…

Summary

Published
12 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1871b

Location

Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an event previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in its monthly civilian casualty report for September 2019 (published November 16th) that it had killed a civilian during an airstrike near Al Shaafah. The Pentagon later declared this to have been a US action. According to the OIR report, “December 12, 2018, near Al…

Summary

Published
12 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1871

Location

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike on a house reportedly killed 15 civilians from one family on the night of December 11th, in Al-Kashma. All sources said that the airstrike was conducted in Al-Kashma, except for Al-Shaafa Facebook page which reported that the event was in the adjacent village of Al-Shaafa. Possibly explaining the confusion, Andolu News…

Summary

Published
11 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1870

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that on December 8th, Coalition aircraft carried out multiple airstrikes on the town of Hajin, which allegedly resulted in "dozens of civilian casualties". The full claim from Raqqa is Being Slaughtered read as follows: "Over the past few hours, the International Alliance aircraft have carried out dozens of air strikes on…

Summary

Published
8 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
6–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1868

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One young girl named as Maryam Abdel Salam was reported killed in an alleged  artillery strike on Hajin. Some sources reported that the attack was conducted by SDF ground forces using artillery while one source reported on "shelling of French artillery". With the SDF not known to have had access to artillery at Hajin, this indicates…

Summary

Published
7 December 2018
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6–7 December, 2018

Incident Code

CS1866

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five to eight civilians were reported killed in an alleged airstrike at Hajin according to sources on the ground. All victims were said to be women and children. According to Syrian state media SANA News, "warplanes of the US-led Coalition attacked several residential houses in Hajin city on Thursday night or Friday morning, claiming the lives…

Summary

Published
6 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident