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

6 March 2018

Incident Code

CS1737

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to three sources, a married couple was killed in an alleged March 6th Coalition airstrike on Hajin. According to the reports, the couple originally came from the town of Mushin, Deir Ezzor. Reports did not overtly specify whether both casualties were non-combatant civilians. However, they did mention the “martyrdom” of the couple. Deir Ezzor 24…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3–5 March, 2018

Incident Code

CS1735

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A young man, identified as Omar Mohammed Ali Al Dakhoul, originally from Al Bu Ammru, was killed in an airstrike on the town of Al Baghouz, according to three local sources. None of the reports however specified on which date the bombardment took place, only mentioning that the man was killed “days ago”. Statements by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2018

Incident Code

CS1734

Location

قرية عفرة, Afra Al Barjari Village, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported that up to two civilians were killed and between one to four seriously injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Afra al Barjari, on the evening of March 2nd. Multiple sources identified some of the adult male victims. The civilians were said to have been in their car when…

Summary

Published
2 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2018

Incident Code

S1537a

Location

الشعفة, al-Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Deaths and injuries were reported when the US-led Coalition allegedly struck a field hospital in Al-Shaf'a in Deir Ezzor on March 2nd, 2018. The hospital attacked was named by local sources as Nabd Al-Hayat. Syriamap reported "Airstrikes by the International Coalition to Defeat ISIS put the hospital completely out of service leading to several deaths…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 March 2018

Incident Code

CS1733a

Location

Near al Shaafah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an event previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in its monthly civilian casualty report for September 2019 (published November 16th) that it had killed a civilian during an airstrike at Al Shaafah. The Pentagon later declared this to be a US action. According to the OIR report, "March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah,…

Summary

Published
1 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

28 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1732

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa: Al-Kashma district, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 10 and 30 civilians were reported killed and “dozens” injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Sha’afa. Most sources stressed that many of the victims were women and children. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had documented the deaths of 22 civilians, including 9 children and 7 women and stressed that…

Summary

Published
28 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
10–30
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident