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

26 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1686

Location

الشعفة, al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 65 civilians including 20 or 21 children and nine women died in a major casualty event in al Sha’afa, local media reported. There was one allegation against the US-led Coalition, and also Egypt. The majority of sources blamed Russia, with @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH saying that a family of 10 were among those killed. Euphrates Post,…

Summary

Published
26 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
42–65
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1683

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to three civilians died at al Soussa, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame for the deaths. According to Syrian Press Center, the regime used artillery shells and rocket launchers on the town. The official page for al Soussa area gave some more detail, reporting that many rockets…

Summary

Published
22 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1682

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One named civilian died in a casualty event in Al Baghouz, according to local media – though it was unclear who was responsible. There were allegations against Russia, the regime and Iraqi forces. No sources explicitly blamed the Coalition, though some didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. The official page for the al Soussa area reported:…

Summary

Published
22 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1680

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates Post reported “the death of the daughter of Saleh al-Zaker from the city of Abu Kamal due to a heart attack caused by the panic and fear of flying warplanes at low altitude over the city of Hajeen.” No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1681

Location

سوح الرفاعي, Souh al Rifai camp, Abu Kamal countryside, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians, a father and his two daughters, died and many more were wounded in shelling of a camp for displaced people in the Abu Kamal countryside. It was not clear who was responsible for the incident as no sources apportioned blame. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, unidentified warplanes carried out a…

Summary

Published
21 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1678

Location

باغوز فوقاني, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians – reportedly women – were wounded in Al Baghouz, according to local media. The attack may have resulted from Iraqi or Coalition artillery. Sharqiya Voice reporetd that “two women were injured as a result of the fall of Iraqi artillery shells on the village of # Albaguz amid the movement of the displacement…

Summary

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