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

21 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1782

Location

بين بلدة السوسة والظهرة في البادية, Al Soussa/al Dahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that up to thirty civilians were killed and injured when Coalition airstrikes allegedly targeted several locations between al Soussa and al Dahra. Most sources stated that the civilians were struck when they were trying to escape the village of al Soussa and move towards the al Dahra area in al Badia, rural…

Summary

Published
21 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
24–30
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1780

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to thirteen civilians were allegedly killed when Coalition aircraft struck two or more houses in al Soussa, local sources reported. In September 2019, the Coalition's monthly civilian casualty report noted: "In Deir ez-Zor, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh explosive factory. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed as a…

Summary

Published
16 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–13
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1781

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ten or thirteen civilians, including women and children, were killed when the village of al Baghouz was targeted by alleged Coalition airstrikes, two local sources said. According to Sound and Picture, Coalition aircraft targeted a “civilian gathering” on the morning of July 16th and reported an initial toll of “10 martyrs from one family, mostly…

Summary

Published
16 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
10–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1779

Location

السوسة و الباغوز, Ice factory, between Al Soussa and al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that between 28 and 58 civilians were killed and up to 45 injured as a result of alleged Coalition or associated Iraqi strikes on an “ice factory” in the Deir Ezzor countryside. According to a correspondent for Step News, Coalition aircraft “launched five successive air strikes”, hitting an ice processing plant called…

Summary

Published
12 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
28–58
Civilians reported injured
25–45
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1778

Location

تل الشاير, Road near Tal al Shayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources said that three brothers from the same family - reportedly civilians - were killed and one other was injured in a Coalition airstrike near the town of Tal al Shayer. Most sources stated that the three “martyrs” were all from the same family and in a “civilian car” when they were targeted. Many…

Summary

Published
2 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1777

Location

السراجية, Al Sarajiya, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to local sources, a civilian identified as Sayed Khader Mohammed was killed in an artillery bombardment on the village of al Sarajiya. Three sources, apparent carbon copies of each other, reported that a civilian was killed “as a result of artillery bombardment”, but did not identify a culprit. Samidon Press stated that the individual…

Summary

Published
1 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident