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

2 April 2018

Incident Code

CI876

Location

Al Qanus Island, Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq
In an event not tracked by Airwars at the time, in July 2018 the Coalition self-reported that it had accidentally killed one civilian and injured a second in an action near Qayarrah. According to the report, “April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and…

Summary

Published
2 April 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 March 2018

Incident Code

CS1740

Location

البوكمال, Near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a previously unknown event, the UK for the first time admitted that its forces caused civilian harm during an airstrike against so-called Islamic State. In a written statement to Parliament on May 2nd, UK Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson MP stated that “one civilian was unintentionally killed,” when a UK Reaper drone…

Summary

Published
26 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 March 2018

Incident Codes

CS1739a TS282a

Location

تل حميس, Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli, Al Hassakah, Syria
Multiple sources reported that Turkey carried out airstrikes on SDF positions in Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli. However, other outlets also stated that this was not the case and that the US-led Coalition conducted strikes on homes which reportedly held family members of ISIS. However, no casualty estimates were given. The Shaam News Network,…

Summary

Published
18 March 2018
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2018

Incident Code

CS1738

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two local sources reported “several civilian casualties” including fatalities as a result of alleged Coalition airstrikes on ISIS at Hajin. According to 7al the bombardment had targeted an ISIS HQ “killing six elements inside three of them Moroccan nationals,” later adding that the same shelling had caused civilian casualties near “the entrance of the city”.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 March 2018

Incident Code

CS1739

Location

.السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported on the shelling of Al Soussa on March 8th, which allegedly resulted in “a number of civilian casualties”. According to 7al, the same shelling that targeted Hajin had also struck al Soussa in the countryside of Abu Kamal, killing or injuring a number of civilians. The site noted the following: "The…

Summary

Published
8 March 2018
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 2018

Incident Code

CS1736

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four families of Tajik nationality were reportedly killed as a result of airstrikes on the town of Al Sha’afa, according to local sources. All reports stated that the non combatant victims were related to members of so-called Islamic State. Although the sources implied that women and children were harmed by the bombardments, no names, photos…

Summary

Published
6 March 2018
Civilians reported killed
12–16
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident