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

3 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1822

Location

مسجد خالد بن الوليدهجين, Hajin: House near Khalid bin Walid mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that between 14 and 21 civilians – over half of them children, according to some sources – were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a house near the Khalid bin Walid mosque in Hajin. Several sources mentioned al Soussa, al Kushma and al Sha'afa as other locations targeted by airstrikes that…

Summary

Published
3 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
14–21
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1823

Location

الشعفة و, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Multiple local sources named three children as killed and “many” more civilians wounded in an alleged Coalition air or artillery strike on Al Shaafa on November 3, 2018. Some sources reported that the airstrike targeted a house in a residential neighbourhood. Euphrates Post for example reported: "The killing of three children, the children of Imad…

Summary

Published
3 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1821a

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of four civilians in an airstrike near Hajin. There are indications that this was either a French or Dutch action. In its April 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: "Coalition aircraft conducted one strike on a Daesh improvised explosive device…

Summary

Published
31 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1817

Location

متجرعطية العبيدي الشيخ القديمات, Shop of Attia Al Obaidi Al Sheik Al Qadimat, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, on October 30th, 2018, according to local sources. Al Shaafa town's Facebook page wrote on October 30th that an alleged Coalition airstrike on “the shops of Atiyya Al Obeidi Al Sheikh Al Qadimat on the public street at the division…

Summary

Published
30 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1820

Location

و الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported on “two new massacres” resulting from alleged Coalition airstrikes targeting the towns of Al Sha’fa and al-Kashma in Deir al-Zour. Several sources including Free Deir Ezzor Radio and Baladi News reported the killing of a total of 17 non-combatant civilians including four women and three children. Baladi added that the victims were…

Summary

Published
30 October 2018
Civilians reported killed
17
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1821

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported on “two new massacres” resulting from alleged Coalition airstrikes targeting the towns of Al Sha’afa and al-Kushma in Deir al-Zour.  Media reported said that four civilians died in this particular event in Sha’fa, when a civilian’s home was allegedly struck by the Coalition. According to The Al Sha’afa Facebook page on October…

Summary

Published
30 October 2018
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident