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 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1803

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to four civilians from the same family including a baby girl (named as the daughter of Hamad Mussah Shahab) died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a civilian home on Al Soussa, according to sources on the ground. Sources reported that the Coalition carried out several strikes on the area amid violent clashes between the SDF…

Summary

Published
3 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1802

Location

مسجد الهشيم السوسة , Al Soussa: al Hashim mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that the US-led Coalition bombed the al Hashim mosque in al Soussa. However, it was unclear whether the 29 to 33 people reported killed were civilians or members of ISIS. The Step News Agency said that the strike was carried out at dawn on October 1st, while the Syrian Network for Human…

Summary

Published
1 October 2018
Civilians reported killed
0–33
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1801

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian died after being hit by “SDF artillery” in al Soussa, according to local media. It is Airwars’ understanding however that only the Coalition had access to artillery in the near region at that time. On October 1st, Boukamlna reported that “Nuri Rifai Al Ali Al Dagher died in Damascus yesterday [Sept 30th] from…

Summary

Published
30 September 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1801a

Location

Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Al Sousah. In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted the following: " Coalition aircraft engaged multiple ISIS vehicles, including a machine-gun equipped pick-up truck engaging friendly forces with machine gun fire. The ISIS…

Summary

Published
30 September 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1800

Location

الباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported the death of an adult civilian male, Hussein al-Humeidahin al Bagouz. There was however a discrepancy in the reports. While some local sources attributed the civilian’s death to (SDF) artillery shelling, one source claimed that he was killed by a sniper. Euphrates Post reported for example the “martyrdom of Hussein al-Humeidah after…

Summary

Published
19 September 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1799

Location

الباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
It was claimed by a single source that the US-led Coalition had killed and wounded an unspecified number of civilians in Al Bagouz Fawqani. Step News Agency reported: “The International Alliance aircraft targeted the town of Al-Bagouz Foqani and the outskirts of the town of Al-Shifa in the eastern suburb of Deir Al-Azur in several…

Summary

Published
16 September 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident