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

1 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1759

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, one man was killed and another seriously injured as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Soussa. Deir Ezzor 24 identified the victim as Mohammed Ali al Khalifa al-Hamada. The report went on to say that “an affiliate of the International Alliance” had targeted one of the town’s internet…

Summary

Published
1 June 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Civilians reported injured
1–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1756

Location

باغوز فوقاني, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, Coalition airstrikes and artillery shelling on the town of Al Baghouz led to the deaths of up to nine civilians, including two or three children. Coalition officials indicated to Airwars that it is likely that this incident matches one of the following concession of civilian harm. In their February 2019 press…

Summary

Published
31 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1757

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Multiple sources reported on the death of one civilian as a result of an airstrike on Al Soussa. Euphrates Post and Masar Press both stated that the civilian casualty was a result of a drone strike. Euphrates Post went on to say that the drone had targeted an ISIS vehicle – and that shrapnel from…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1758

Location

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported that up to twelve people from one family, including between two and four children and four women, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hadaj village. According to Amc-Sy, eight members of the Awwad al Latif family were killed and others wounded when their homes were struck on a Friday night.…

Summary

Published
31 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
8–12
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1755

Location

باغوز فوقاني, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that three civilians were killed after an air raid targeted the village of al Baghouz. Sound and Picture stated that the three civilians were killed after “air strikes from a combat aircraft coming from the Iraqi side” struck the village in the countryside of Abu Kamal. While the source was alone…

Summary

Published
28 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1754

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa: al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, two civilians were killed and two civilians were injured in a declared Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Soussa on May 27, 2018. Euphrates Post, Lawhat Bukmalna and Deir Ezzor 24 reported that Issa Mohammed al-Debs, an Abu Kamal local, was killed by an air raid on the Boubdran district…

Summary

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