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

20 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1679 IRS001

Location

القريا, Al Quoriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed by a drone strike in al Qouriya, local media said, though neither source has said who was responsible. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “two men were killed and another was wounded after being targeted by a drone in the al-Quriyah area”. Sharqiya Voice provided some more detail,…

Summary

Published
20 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Iranian Military, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1676

Location

ابو حمام, Abu Haman, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to the Euphrates Post, the Syrian Democratic Forces carried out an artillery bombardment on Abu Hamam. It said that there had been civilian casualties but didn’t specify a number. Al Qouriya Media Center provided some more detail. It reported that “artillery shelling targeted a family from al-Qouriya, the family of Hussein al-Ali al-Sayer al-Hamad.…

Summary

Published
18 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1677

Location

الكشكية, Al Kashkiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that several civilians were wounded in an artillery shelling by the SDF on al Kashkiya. The SDF is not known to have had access to its own artillery – indicating that this was most likely a Coalition action.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1675

Location

درنج, Daranj, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Daranj, according to local media. Most sources attributed the event to the Coalition. However, one pointed towards the Assad regime and one blamed Russia. Deir Ezzor 24 and Step News Agency blamed the Coalition, with Step putting the civilian death toll…

Summary

Published
16 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1674

Location

الحوايج, Al Jawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians died in an airstrike on al Jawaij town, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame. Deir Ezzor noted “clashes between the forces of SDF and the organization [IS] in the town of Hawayj”. That suggested that any airstrikes may have been by the Coalition. Additionally, Smart News…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 November 2017

Incident Codes

RS2728 CS1673a

Location

جليب غانم, Jleib Ghanem area, Al Qouriya desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians including two children and a woman were killed and between seven and nine more were wounded in an alleged US Coalition or Russian airstrike on a camp for displaced persons in the Jleib Ghanem area, Al Qouriya desert, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though @basher_811 pointed to the Coalition,, reporting: …

Summary

Published
13 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
7–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident