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 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1814a

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa: Mosque and internet cafe, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Several civilians were killed and injured in alleged Coalition air and/or artillery strikes on a mosque and internet café in Al Soussa, according to a single source – though a number of other reports said that the victims were members of ISIS. Euphrates Post reported that “a number of members of the Islamic State organization…

Summary

Published
22 October 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

19 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1813

Location

البوبدران, Al Soussa: Othman Bin Affan mosque, al Boubadran village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what several sources described as “a massacre”, at least 8 and as many as 70 civilians were alleged killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Osman Bin Affan Mosque in the village of Al-Sousse after Friday prayers. The incident occurred after two other reported incidents on October 18th in and around al Soussa, targeting…

Summary

Published
19 October 2018
Civilians reported killed
8–70
Civilians reported injured
12–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1814

Location

هجين , Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged fourth problem Coalition airstrike in the governorate of Deir Ezzor over a 48 hour period allegedly hit a ‘Qur’anic institute’ (a place in which the Qur’an is taught) in Hajin, in what some local sources described as another “horrific massacre”. Various sources reported that the airstrike killed six civilians and wounded several others.…

Summary

Published
19 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1812

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa: Ammar bin Yasser moque, al Boubadran village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least 10 and as many as 60 civilians were reported killed  by the US-led Coalition after a strike or strikes hit the Ammar bin Yasser mosque in Al Boubadran village near al Soussa. The event may have been confused in some media and social media reports to one or two additional nearby civilian harm…

Summary

Published
18 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
10–60
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1811

Location

السوسة , al Soussa: Home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab in al Aaliyya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least 9 and as many as 15 civilians were reported killed, described as women and children of Iraqi origin, following a reported Coalition airstrike on the home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab in al Soussa. The event may be confused in some media and social media reports with one or two nearby additional civilian harm…

Summary

Published
18 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
9–15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1810

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local reports said that four non combatants (perhaps along with two ISIS fighters) were killed in a Coalition air or artillery strike on al Bahra. Syrian United Observatory and tweeter Shabab al Latamna both reported four civilians killed. In its own report, Step News noted that “Four civilians and two members of Daesh were killed…

Summary

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