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

7–8 June, 2018

Incident Code

CS1765

Location

منطقة تل الجاير:خويبيرة, Tal al Jair (or Tal Safouk), Khwuweibra village school, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to several sources, ten or eighteen civilians, including women and children, were allegedly killed in a Coalition airstrike on the village of Khuweibra in the Tal al Jair area. Eye on al Hasaka reported in a Facebook post that “The International Coalition committed a new massacre in the Tal Al Jair area”. An individual…

Summary

Published
7 June 2018
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
10–18
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1762

Location

الجزاع, Al Helo or al-Jazza village, Al Hassakah, Syria
Several sources reported up to fifteen civilians killed, including ten children and an unspecified number of women, when Coalition or other aircraft allegedly targeted the village of al Helo/ Al Jazza near al Dashisha, in southern Hassaka. Marsad al Hassaka initially stated that the bombardment took place “at dawn today” and caused the death of…

Summary

Published
4 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1763

Location

السايح, Al Sayeh village, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported that three civilians were killed by 'indiscriminate' artillery shelling on the village of al Sayeh in southern Hasaka. In a Facebook post, An Eye on al Hassaka identified “the Kurdish units” as the culprit, referring to SDF forces. This was reiterated by most sources. In addition to the three killed civilians, Al…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1764

Location

الباغوز الفوقاني, Al Baghouz al Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, four civilians were allegedly killed by a Coalition airstrike targeting the center of the town of al Baghouz Foqani. Both Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor 24 identified two of the people killed as Nader Jassim al-Mardoukh and Hussein Ali al-Mardoukh. In a separate report, Euphrates Post identified the third civilian as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1761

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, Coalition aircraft targeted the town of Al Soussa, which reportedly resulted in two civilians killed and an unspecified number of people injured. Initially Step News Agency reported that civilians were wounded when the towns of al Soussa, Al-Aleyat and Bubradan were targeted by airstrikes. In a later report, the media outlet…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1760

Location

قرية هداج, Hadaj village, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported the deaths of at least two civilians, a married couple, and several others injured as a result of a Coalition airstrike on the village of Hadaj West, which may also be known as Hasan al Ali village. Al Hasaka Arabea, among several other sources, identified the couple as Abdish al-Issa and his…

Summary

Published
2 June 2018
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident