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

17 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1841

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 12 and 24 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin, Deir Ezzor. All sources pointed to Coalition artillery and shelling excluding Syrian Unified Observatory - which blamed the Syrian regime for the airstrikes. Sound and Picture called the event an "aerial bombardment" where "dozens" were injured, while Step News reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1839

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A girl was killed in an alleged airstrike on Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, according to local reports. Smart News reported that dozens were wounded including the relatives of the victim, specifying that "her uncle was seriously injured". Three sources including Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor 24, reported that the Coalition was responsible. Further to this,…

Summary

Published
17 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1840

Location

قرية ابوالحسن(البقعان جزيرة)ة , Abo Al Hassan (al-Buqa'an Jazeera), East of Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 15 and 53 civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike with "heavy shelling" on the village of Abo Al Hassan, east of Hajin in the Deir Ezzor governorate, according to locals. Sources claimed that the death toll would rise due to the difficulty in getting civilians out of the rubble. This was reportedly…

Summary

Published
17 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
15–53
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1837

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local media, an alleged Coalition airstrike killed ISIS member Yousuf Mahmoud al-Mohsen and his wife Furat Imad Awwad al-Hamad. According to Euphrates Post and others, al-Mohsen was an early member and conspirator of the terrorist organisation ISIS in al Soussa: "Following the killing of Yousef Mahmoud al-Mohsen in addition to his wife Furat Imad…

Summary

Published
16 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

Incident Date

16 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1838

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition night time airstrike killed "a number of civilians" and injured others, according to local media. Several sources including the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported the deaths of two civilian brothers. According to sources including Zaman Al Wasl, Al Soussa News, Al Shaafa News and the Syrian Unified Observatory, the injured…

Summary

Published
16 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1836

Location

البوبدران, Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a residential area and reportedly killed between eight and 23 civilians, in what local sources described as "a massacre". According to Sana News, 23 civilians died as a result of the airstrike. Step News  and Euphrates Post reported that a total of 20 people died. Step added that 17 belonged…

Summary

Published
15 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–23
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident