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

Search

2981 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

28 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1733

Location

الصفاوي, Al Safawi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Multiple sources stated that three or six civilians, including a seven-year-old child, were killed in an airstrike on a vehicle in the town of Al Safawi in the countryside of southern Al Hasakah on February 28th. Most local sources reported that the victims all came from the same family and were killed when driving in…

Summary

Published
28 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1731

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha’fah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously untracked by Airwars monitors, in May 2018 the Coalition said that it had assessed a self-report of potential civilian harm at al Shafaa - though had concluded there were no non combatant casualties. As the official report noted, "February 26, 2018, near al Sha’fah, Syria, via self-report. After a review of…

Summary

Published
26 February 2018
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1730

Location

ظهرة العلواني, Zahret Al Alwni, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that 10 to 25 civilians had been killed and dozens wounded as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Zahret Al Alwni – an IDP camp located between Al Sousse and Al Sha’afa. Most sources reported that 16 non combatants had died. According to most reports, the victims of the airstrike…

Summary

Published
25 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–25
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1729

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local reports by Euphrates Post, alleged Coalition air raids targeted "a residential complex in district 24" of the town of Al Sha'afa. The sources stated that there were civilian casualties as a result, but did not specify a specific number. These sources were apparent carbon copies of each other. However, according to two Sana…

Summary

Published
25 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
2–29
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1727

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 8 and 25 civilians reportedly died and as many as “dozens” were injured as a result of a claimed Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Sha’afa. An Abu Kamal local later told Al-Hail that the bombardment had wounded “mostly women and children”. Orient News carried the most detailed report, noting that "Local sources…

Summary

Published
23 February 2018
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
8–25
Civilians reported injured
4–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1728

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to a single source, alleged Coalition strikes on the city of Hajin killed one civilian and injured seven others. The report from Al Hal News stated that in addition to damaging houses, the bombardment “led to the death of a young man and the wounding of seven others”. Although Airwars researchers did not identify…

Summary

Published
23 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident