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

12 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1750

Location

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported that up to ten civilians were killed, including five women and four children, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hadaj. A tweet by @NDhoms1 was the only source stating that “10 civilians, including 8 women and children” died. All other sources specifically mentioned the death of “five women and…

Summary

Published
12 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1749

Location

الحمادي, Al Hammadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Coalition raids on the village of al Hammadi resulted in the deaths of up to eight civilians, including three children and five women. The US-led alliance later accepted responsibility for at least four deaths. The village in the area of Abu Hamda is located close to the Iraqi-Syrian border and according to Al Khabour, is…

Summary

Published
11 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1748

Location

الباغوز, Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, 12 civilians including 3 women were killed and either 'several' or 'dozens' wounded by an airstrike on the town of Baghouz. All reports identified the Coalition as the culprit. A local source told Smart News that jets had targeted the village under the control of so-called Islamic State – but did…

Summary

Published
10 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1748a

Location

Khatuniya, Al Hassakah, Syria
In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Khatuniya. The Pentagon later reported this to have been a US action. According to CJTFOIR's June 2019 civilian casualty report: "Coalition forces engaged in a small arms fire event. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed…

Summary

Published
10 May 2018
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1747

Location

القصر, Al Qasr village, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to local sources, at least 13 and up to 30 civilians were killed and “tens of others” were injured in airstrikes on al Qasr village, also known as al Fadel, near the Syrian-Iraqi border in the Tal al Jayer area of al Hassaka governorate. Reports identified both the Coalition and the Iraqi air force…

Summary

Published
1 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
24–30
Civilians reported injured
10–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2018

Incident Code

CS1746

Location

سوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that two civilians were killed as a result of 'SDF shelling' on the town of Al Soussa at night. A number of sources identified the two casualties as Mohammed Khashan Al-Najem Dagger and Alia Mohammed Hilal who, according to a tweet by Deir Ezzor 24, were hit by “missile shelling” from SDF forces stationed at “the…

Summary

Published
19 April 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident