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

8,224 – 13,303

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 2,988 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,368
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,907
likely injured
3,763
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
19,187 – 29,772
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,988 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,224 – 13,303
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,541 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
7,871 – 12,566
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
779 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

Declassified Document

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2986 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date
11 November 2014

Incident Code

CS028

Location

الشنان, Shanan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that a civilian male died in a coalition airstrike on the village of al Shanan near Dayr az Zawr. He was later named as Rashed Hamdan Al Abd Al Jassem. According to the Facebook page of local activist Abu Mohammad Al Dairi, al Jassem was one of 12 casualties from…

Summary

Published
11 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
8 November 2014

Incident Code

CS024

Location

الخريطة, Khareeta, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilian men were reported by a number of sources as having been killed in a coalition airstrike.  

Summary

Published
8 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
7 November 2014

Incident Code

CS021

Location

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilian men were reported by a single source to have been killed in a coalition strike on the city of Dayr az Zawr. They were named by the VDC.  

Summary

Published
7 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
7 November 2014

Incident Code

CS022

Location

سعلو, Sillu, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two non-combatant males were reported killed in a coalition airstrike on the village of Sa’alo.

Summary

Published
7 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
7 November 2014

Incident Code

CS023

Location

near At-Tanak Oilfield, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In its January 25th 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that a civilian casualties allegation near At-Tanak is currently being assessed: “#1 Nov. 7, 2014 near At-Tanak Oilfield, Syria via regional human rights organization report.” Further research by our Syria team indicated that this incident was in fact previously known to Airwars, but had…

Summary

Published
7 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident
6 November 2014

Incident Code

CS019

Location

حارم, Harim, Idlib, Syria
Six months after US air raids had targeted the Khorasan Group (part of the al-Nusra Front) and the militant group Ahrar al-Sham, the Coalition conceded that two children had “likely” died in the attack – the first public concession of any civilian deaths after 4,000 airstrikes against ISIS over nine months. The November 5th US-only…

Summary

Published
6 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident