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

Search

2981 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

26 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1776

Location

الصور, Al Sour desert in northern Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that a civilian man was killed in a Coalition airstrike in the Al Sour desert in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor. Baladi News stated that in addition to killing nine ISIS fighters, 'a shepherd who happened to be near them' was also killed in the raid. Among the fighters said…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1775

Location

سوح الجزر, Suh al Jozr in the northern Deir Ezzor Desert , Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian adult male was reported killed in a Coalition strike in a desert area of Deir Ezzor governorate, according to a single source. A tweet by Deir Ezzor 24 reported on the “Death of Fawaz Abtisheh Farhan from the village of # Mu’ijel after an air raid of the international coalition targeted his car…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1774

Location

الحصية, Al Sha'afa, Al Hassya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, up to eight civilians including four children and two women were killed in a Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Sha’afa. Most sources reported that 17 people were killed overall, including eight civilians and nine or more ISIS fighters. The Syrian Network for Human Rights added that four children and…

Summary

Published
21 June 2018
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
2–14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1773

Location

تل الجاير, Tal al Jair, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to Marsad al Hassaka and An Eye on al Hassaka, two young men were killed and three others were injured (two severely) in a mortar shelling on the village of Tal al Jair by “Kurdish units”. According to both sources, all five civilians harmed were from the same family. It is important to note…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1772

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians, including women and children, were allegedly killed and several others injured by a Coalition airstrike on Al Soussa. Sound and Picture reported “three martyrs” and several wounded. Smart News quoted local activists who also mentioned a tally of three civilians killed after a Coalition raid targeted the “residential neighbourhoods in the town of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1768

Location

الحردان, Al Hardan village (al Shayer hill), Al Hassakah, Syria
Two to four civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of al Hardoun. Marsad al Hassaka stated that the house of Mohammed Ahmed Hardan was targeted at “dawn today”, where he was killed with his three children while his wife was seriously injured. Zaman al Wasl quoted a local activist who…

Summary

Published
13 June 2018
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident