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

23 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1716

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 15 civilian including as many as seven women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike at a hospital in al Sha’afa, according to local media. Free Deir Ezzor put the death toll at 14 including seven women. It published photographs of ruins of “the hospital targeted by the Coalition”. According to the Syrian Network…

Summary

Published
23 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
4–15
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1715a

Location

البحرة, Barah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Barah. The UK later confirmed this was an RAF strike. In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted: "Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS fighter operating a motorcycle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as…

Summary

Published
20 January 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

20 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1715b

Location

near al-Khashmah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of four civilians in an event near al-Khashmah. In its April 2019 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: "Coalition aircraft conducted multiple engagements against Daesh forces. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the targets." The…

Summary

Published
20 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1715

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a previously unknown incident, the Coalition reported in May 2018 that it had killed one civilian in Hajin. According to the monthly civilian casualty report: “January 18, 2018, near Abu Kamal, Syria, via self-report. During a strike on Daesh-held building a scooter entered the impact area moments before the impact. One civilian was unintentionally…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13–14 January, 2018

Incident Code

CS1713

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five named civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajeen, sources on the ground said. The earliest report of casualties was on January 13th, though some reports later claimed the event was on the 14th or even the 15th. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “five civilians, including a woman, were killed…

Summary

Published
13 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1714

Location

السوسة, al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on al Soussa, according to local media. One victim was named locallly as Saleh Ibrahim Mohsen Al-Faris. Deir Ezzor 24 blamed the Coalition for his death, though other sources didn’t identify the culprit. According to Al Sharq al Souri, shells landed on the victim’s…

Summary

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