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

2 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1690

Location

Abu Hamam or Al Kashkiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Abu Hamam and al Kashkiya, local media reported. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “International Coalition’s warplanes targeted areas in the towns of Abu Hamam and Al-Kashkia, killing three citizens including two women, and injuring others”. One woman was specifically reported killed…

Summary

Published
2 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1688

Location

غرانيج / درنج, Daranj (possibly غرانيج Granij), Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child died in a Coalition airstrike according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported "a child died on December 3rd, due to wounds sustained from International Coalition warplanes which fired missiles on Darnaj village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs on December 1, 2017". In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility…

Summary

Published
1 December 2017
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

1 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1689

Location

البرهوم, al Burham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In its July 26th, 2018 civilian casualty statement, the Coalition self-reported an incident of civilian harm on the banks of the Euphrates river, near the crossing between the villages of Al Burham ( البرهوم ) and Abu Hasan ( أبو حسن ). The report noted: "December 1, 2017, near al Burham, Syria, via self-report. During…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1687 RS2771

Location

درنج, Daranj, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians died, and 14 were wounded in an airstrike on Daranj, local media said, though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia. In January 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: "Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters operating a mortar position firing…

Summary

Published
30 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
14
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1684 RS2765

Location

درنج, Daranj, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians died in an airstrike on Daranj, according to local media, though it was unclear who was responsible, with sources blaming the Coalition, the Syrian regime and one pointing towards Russia. A number of other sources didn’t apportion blame. Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor named five victims as killed by unidentified “warplanes”: Rami Assaf,…

Summary

Published
26 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1685

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child died in a casualty event in Al Baghouz, according to local media. The Al Sharq al Souri agency reported on November 28th that the victim died from wounds sustained by an artillery shell in the village of Al-Baghouz two days ago. The Syrian Human Rights Committee also blamed an artillery shell for the child’s…

Summary

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