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

13 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1698

Location

Near al Shaafa village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to Eldorar, “sources pointed out that Coalition aircraft targeted a car carrying civilians on Wednesday, which resulted in the death of a number of them, including children and women. The international coalition aircraft had targeted the town of Al-Shaafa, yesterday evening, amid the movement of large-scale displacement of civilians towards neighboring villages.” Baladi produced…

Summary

Published
13 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2017

Incident Codes

CS1695 RS2797

Location

الجردي الغربي, Al Jarthi al Gharbi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male was named as killed in an airstrike on al Jarthi al Gharbi. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US-led Coalition, and others to Moscow. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Syrian regime warplanes for his death. But according to Al Haall, Russia was…

Summary

Published
12 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1694

Location

ابو حمام, Al Diyaf in Abu Hamam, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Euphrates Post reported “The martyrdom of Ali Hamoud al-Tarihah and the wounding of Saleh al-Badri as a result of air raids by the international coalition that targeted his home in the area of Al Diyaf in the town of Abu Hamam”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed the Coalition for the victim’s…

Summary

Published
10 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1693

Location

سويدان جزيرة, Suwaydan Jazeera, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post reported the death of “Haj Hamad Taha al-Salem from the town of Suwaydan Jazira, who was killed as a result of air strikes targeting the perimeter of Al-Huda mosque (also known as al-Sayyid mosque)”. The victim was also named by Asharq al Arabi. According to Al Araby al Jadid, “a civilian was killed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1692

Location

ابو حمام, Abu Hamam, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to the Step News Agency, “The International Air Force bombed the towns of Abu Hammam, Hajin and Alshakiya in the eastern countryside and no damage was reported.” However, Al Haal and Qasioun said that SDF artillery strikes wounded a number of civilians. Airwars understands that the SDF does not have access to artillery, therefore…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 December 2017

Incident Codes

CS1691 RS2781

Location

الجردي, Al Jarthi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 24 civilians died in an airstrike on Al Jarthi town, local media reported – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources, however, attributed the event to Moscow. According to Al Haal, “Abu Hassan al-Khalifa (a resident of the town) told al-Hal, that…

Summary

Published
5 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
23–24
Civilians reported injured
10–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident