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

22 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1846

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike that targeted the souk (market area) in Hajin, killed between 14 and 20 civilians according to local media, in what was described as "another massacre". The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that at least 19 people were killed, including five ISIS fighters and 14 civilians, including five children and three women.…

Summary

Published
22 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
14–20
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1845

Location

هجين , Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to sources on the ground, "a number of civilians were killed and wounded" as a result of Coalition airstrikes on Hajin. All sources blamed the Coalition, with no specific quantitative information provided. Almost all sources highlighted the alleged use of White Phosphorous munitions. Russia Today for example reported that "Our correspondent in Syria said…

Summary

Published
21 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21–22 November, 2018

Incident Code

CS1848

Location

الحصية في الشعفة, Al Sha'afa: Al Hassiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six civilians from the same family were reported killed as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike in Al Hassiya, Al Sha'afa. The date of the incident appears to range between November 21st and 22nd. Local media reported that among the victims were one man, four children and one woman, who were originally displaced from al…

Summary

Published
21 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1844

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Coalition was said to have fired white phosphorus munitions on Hajin, according to sources on the ground. Free Deir Ezzor Radio claimed that it was the sixth time Coalition forces used white phosphorus during the month. Amongst others, Sound and Picture and Sana News claimed that civilians were killed and injured, but exact numbers…

Summary

Published
20 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, Incendiary
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1842

Location

قرية الحنة, Al Hanna village, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to local sources, people took to the streets in demonstration after one man was killed and his two children injured or killed when shells hit their house in Al-Hanna. Jisr TV reported it was a total of 14 shells that caused the killing of the man and the injuries of his children. According to…

Summary

Published
19 November 2018
Strike Type
Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1843

Location

حويزية, Huweiziya village, al Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to local sources, 13-year-old Ali Matar al-Hammad was killed by a cluster bomb that was left behind after previous bombing on the village of Hweiziyah in rural Shaddadi, south of Hasaka. Several sources including Step News Agency blamed the Coalition.  However according to a number of tweets from amongst others @Syria_News5 and @SyriaNewsNetwrk, the cluster bomb was…

Summary

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