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

13 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1769

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, up to four civilians, including women and children, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Baghouz Foqani. Step News Agency reported that two women and one girl were killed and another person injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights however stated that in fact two children and one woman…

Summary

Published
13 June 2018
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
6–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1770

Location

الباغوز تحتاني, Al Baghouz Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that alleged Coalition raids on Al Baghouz Tahtani resulted in civilian harm. Al Haall quoted an Abu Kamal local, who stated that two raids targeted the village, resulting in “several civilians wounded, and damage to property as well." No additional details are presently known - and in October 2018 the US-led…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1771

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One or more civilians were reported killed and injured after artillery shelling on the village of al Soussa. Sound and Picture reported the “martyrdom of a civilian” in the village of Soussa as a result of French artillery shelling. Shaam News only made mention of “a number of civilians” wounded and stated that this was…

Summary

Published
13 June 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1771a

Location

البوكمال, near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a previously unreported incident, in the US-led Coalition's August 2018 report, it conceded it had injured one civilian during a raid on an ISIS "supply route" near Abu Kamal. The coordinates provided by the Coalition locate the incident East of the Euphrates river, in an area labelled Ash Shājilah (ناحية سوسة) on open source…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1766

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported one civilian killed and an unspecified number of people injured after the village of al Soussa was shelled. Al Soussa Youth reported that one person was killed and two others were injured when the house of al-Matar al Luqman was struck. The source also stated that an Iraqi family was wounded,…

Summary

Published
12 June 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1767

Location

حسون الباشا, Hassoun al Basha village near Tal al Shayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported the death of up to twelve civilians (including at least three children) from the same extended family and up to eight more injured as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hassoun al Basha near Tal al Shayer. According to a SANA reporter. Coalition bombardments on civilian houses…

Summary

Published
12 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
12–13
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident