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

24 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1853

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Fourteen civilians from the same family were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike which was said to have targeted or struck civilians homes in Al Sha'afa. Jisr TV called the incident an "aerial bombardment" and labeled it a continuation of the recent massacres in Deir Ezzor over recent days. According to multiple sources, the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24–25 November, 2018

Incident Code

CS1857

Location

هجين, Hajin , Deir Ezzor, Syria
A named male civilian was reported killed in a confirmed Coalition air or artillery strike on Hijan when it struck his home. All sources blamed the Coalition for the event. Some sources reported that the incident was on November 24th and others on the 25th. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1849

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 10 and 19 civilians were reported killed as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike at al Sha'afa. According to a tweet from @addouniatv, 10 civilians died resulting from the attack.  @DeirEzzor24 and Free Deir Ezzor Radio reported that as many as 18 civilians died. Most other sources put the death toll at 11 civilians,…

Summary

Published
23 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–19
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23–24 November, 2018

Incident Code

CS1850

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike targeted Hajin, Deir Ezzor, with mention of unspecified civilian casualties. All sources blamed the Coalition for the raid. Only one source, Step News, claimed that civilians were killed and wounded: however, figures were not stated. The agency also reported on "large destruction in the vicinity". More than one source on the…

Summary

Published
24 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1851

Location

بلدة أبو الحسن, Abou Al Hasan town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Alleged Coalition airstrikes occurred in Abou Al Hasan town. Step News reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded, but did not however distinguish between this event and an incident in Hajin, also on November 23rd. All sources signified the alleged use of white phosphorous munitions. In its monthly civilian casualty report…

Summary

Published
23 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1852

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Alleged Coalition airstrikes occurred in Al Soussa which, according to a single source, led to unspecified casualties among a family. According to Free Deir Ezzor Radio,"A new massacre was carried out by Coalition aircraft targeting a civilian family in the town of Al Soussa in the countryside of Deir Ezzor." No additional details are presently…

Summary

Published
23 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident