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

13 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1835

Location

هجين , Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition night time airstrike targeted a prison killing a number of prisoners, according to local media sources. Most sources report that among the victims were both ISIS and civilian prisoners. According to Furat FM, at least 11 members of ISIS were killed. Among others Orient News, Smart News and Step News Agency reported however…

Summary

Published
13 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1834

Location

الكشمة و الشعفة, Al Kashma and Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted Al Kashma and Al Sha'afa in what was described as "a new massacre of dozens of civilians" according to local media. Between 20 and 50 civilians were reported to have died as a result of "25 raids" on both locations on November 13th. According to Orient News, both Al Kashma and…

Summary

Published
13 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
20–50
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11–12 November, 2018

Incident Code

CS1833

Location

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 10 and as many as 60 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Kashma, according to local media. Airstrikes were carried out in Al Shaafa and Al Kashma around the same time, and most sources reported on a combined number of civilian casualties as a result of airstrikes in both places. The airstrikes…

Summary

Published
11 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
10–60
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1832

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 20 and as many as 60 non-combatants died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Sha'afa, according to local media. A number of sources including Baladi News and the Syrian Unified Observatory, reported that the airstrikes hit both the towns of Al Sha'afa and Al Kashma, killing mostly civilians including women and children. According…

Summary

Published
11 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
20–60
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1831

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between five and 12 civilians including women and children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin, according to local media. Baladi News reported on five civilian deaths, while most other sources reported on the deaths of seven civilians. There were various reports on the gender and age of the victims. Some sources reported that…

Summary

Published
11 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1830

Location

السوسة, Al Sousse, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Step News Agency reported that the Coalition "bombed the eastern suburb of Deir Ezzor with white phosphorus last night [Nov 10th]. It also renewed  shelling of Hajin city and the town of al-Sousse". It added that deaths were reported, but didn't give numbers. Al Khabar also claimed that white phosphorous was used, asserting that "the…

Summary

Published
10 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident