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

22 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1700

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and four civilians died and several others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajeen, according to local media. Sources said that the strike hit the car which the victims were in. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at two, though most other sources said that three died.…

Summary

Published
22 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1701

Location

هجين, Hajeen, 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 22, 2017, near Hajin, 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
22 December 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1699

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three named civilians died and others were wounded in Hajeen, according to local media. It is unclear whether the Coalition or the regime were responsible for the deaths. It said they had died “as a result of military air strikes believed to belong to the International Alliance this afternoon which targeted the market at Hajeen…

Summary

Published
14 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1697a

Location

هجين, near Hajin, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian near Hajin. In its March 2018 report, the Coalition noted: "During a coalition strike which killed a known high-level ISIS member a civilian scooter inadvertently crossed into the strike area and it is assessed that one civilian was…

Summary

Published
13 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 December 2017

Incident Codes

CS1696 RS2799

Location

الجردي الشرقي, Al Jarthi al Sharqi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 33 named civilians including 16 children and six women died and at least 10 more were wounded in airstrikes on al Jarthi al Sharqi, according to local media. VDC-SY reported that the airstrike was conducted on the 12th of December, whereas our research shows it was in fact on the 13th of December.…

Summary

Published
13 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–33
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1697

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians died and nine others were wounded in artillery or air strikes on Hajeen, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Awwad Zayed Hussein al Zayed was killed by Syrian regime artillery shells”. The victim was also named by DE24…

Summary

Published
13 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident