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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

31 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1706

Location

السوسة, Sussah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 12 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Sussah, according to local media. Deir Ezzor 24 was one of many sources blaming the Coalition. It put the death toll at five. However, most other sources said that a dozen civilians died, with Eldorar adding that dozens more were injured. Baladi reported that…

Summary

Published
31 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1705

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of possible civilian harm. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “December 30, 2017, near al-Bahrah, Syria, via social media report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in…

Summary

Published
30 December 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1704

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male, named as Karim Makhkhalf Al-Hamoud Al-Faraj, was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahra, according to local media. Euphrates Post, Sharqiya Voice and Deirezzor were among sources blaming the Coalition for the victim’s death. Euphrates Post for example noted “The martyrdom of Karim Mukhlif al-Hamoud al-Faraj from the city of…

Summary

Published
29 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1703

Location

تل الذهب, Tal Al Thahab or Tal Al Shayr, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Coalition strike on Tal Al Thahab or Tal Al Shayr, near the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to local sources on the ground. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “three civilians from the same family, including a child and a woman, were killed as International Coalition warplanes fired missiles…

Summary

Published
28 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 December 2017

Incident Codes

CS1702 RS2813

Location

غرانيج, Granij, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ten named civilians died and “a large number more” were injured in an alleged airstrike on Granij, according to local media. One sources blamed Russia, while the rest attributed blame to the US-led Coalition. According to Deir Ezzor 24, six non-combatants died when the Coalition “attacked the house of Elias Khader Al-Abdullah in the Al-Samra…

Summary

Published
25 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1701a

Location

near Kharayij, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of three civilians in an event near near Kharayij, Syria. In its May 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted "Coalition aircraft conducted strikes on a Daesh weapons storage facility and Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed due to…

Summary

Published
24 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident