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

5 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1865

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike killed up to 25 civilians according to sources on the ground. The dead reportedly included the families of two ISIS fighters. A single source, Suriye UAD Facebook page, reported that five civilians were killed including a woman, whereas other sources such as Step News and Baladi News reported that as many…

Summary

Published
5 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
12–25
Civilians reported injured
17
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5–6 December, 2018

Incident Code

CS1867

Location

البوبدران, Al Soussa: Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike killed one named adult civilian male, according to sources on the ground. One source by the name of Sami Aleweti, who appears to have been a family member, reported that the man, Jassim al Attawi, was killed in a "barbaric bombardment" by a Coalition aircraft on the village of Al-Boubadran in…

Summary

Published
5 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

4 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1864

Location

البوبدران, Al Soussa: al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 12 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Boubadran in Al Soussa. Radio al Kul reported that a child was killed in Al Boubadran, while most other sources reported on the deaths of four women and and three children. Hajin News for example reported that "Four women and three…

Summary

Published
4 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3–6 December, 2018

Incident Code

CS1869

Location

البوبدران, All Soussa: Al-Boubdaran (al Salam neighbourhood), Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that a named civilian man from Al-Salam neighborhood in Al-Boubdaran district, was killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike. Euphrates Post for example reported that "Ahmed Ramadan Al-Baghouz, a civilian from the town of Al-Soussa / Al-Salam neighborhood  / Al-Boubdaran district, was killed by a Coaltion air strike." Sources reported on the incident…

Summary

Published
3 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

2–4 December, 2018

Incident Code

CS1863

Location

البوبدران, Al Soussa: al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child from the town of Abu Kamal died of his injuries according to multiple sources, following shrapnel injuries to the head received at some point in an air or artillery strike between December 2nd and 4th. Abdul Aziz Maher Jamal Al-Khabour died in the village of al Boubadran near al Soussa. Smart News said that…

Summary

Published
2 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1862

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted Yarmouk Women’s Hospital and killed between 10 and 45 civilians, including women, children and medical staff in addition to members of ISIS. According to AE24, a source in the Deir Ezzor civil council of the Syrian opposition said that "more than 40 civilians were killed, in addition…

Summary

Published
29 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
10–45
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident