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

23 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1753a

Location

هجين, Near Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Self-reporting by the US-led Coalition identified four civilians killed in a strike in the vicinity of Hajin in Deir Ezzor. Local reports at the time made no reference to civilian harm. According to a Coalition report issued September 27th 2018, “May 23, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via self-report. During a strike four civilians were unintentionally…

Summary

Published
23 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1753

Location

هجين/الشعفة, Hajin or al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A local monitor reported that a number of civilians were injured after the towns of Hajin and al Sha’afa were shelled on May 20th. According to Sound and Vision, the “continuous bombardment by French artillery aimed at the city of Hajin and the town of al Sha’afa” harmed non-combatant civilians. The report however failed to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1752

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Filasteen neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians were killed and up to 14 injured following air or artillery strikes on the Filasteen neighbourhood of al Soussa, with the Coalition believed by sources to be responsible. A resident of Abu Kamal told Al Haal that Coalition aircraft had targeted the village with more than five raids – with one of them…

Summary

Published
16 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1751a

Location

السوسة, near As Susah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of four civilians near As Susah. In its July 2018 report, the Coalition noted: "During a strike on Daesh IED facility, four civilians were unintentionally killed". The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100…

Summary

Published
15 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 May 2018

Incident Code

CI877

Location

السفينة و حويجة, Mashraq village, Nineveh, Iraq
According to local reports, airstrikes targeted villages south of Mosul on the morning of May 14th and resulted in considerable damage – and injured between two and five civilians. The Coalition later conceded injuring 13 civilians in the event. Yaqein quoted a local source that stated that “An aircraft believed to be an American fired…

Summary

Published
14 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1751

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to a single source, several civilians were wounded as a result of Iraqi and Coalition air or artillery strikes on the village of Al Baghouz on May 15th. Multiple sources stated that the Syrian Defence Forces (SDF), supported by the International Coalition and in coordination with Iraqi forces, took control of the town of…

Summary

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