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

6 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1667

Location

بريحة, Abriha/Braiha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes, whether they belong to the international coalition or not is not known, shelled areas in Abriha village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, and Daman village in the eastern and north eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, leaving a man killed in Abriha village and others…

Summary

Published
6 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2017

Incident Codes

RS2684 CS1666a

Location

البوكمال, Abo Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed in Russian airstrikes according to local media, as well as a report by the Russian Ministry of Defence. However, one source reported "We do not know whether the bombing is Russian or Coalition". Many other sources blamed the International Coalition for the strikes. Some sources blamed Iraqi airstrikes,…

Summary

Published
5 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1666 RS2697

Location

الصبحة, Al Subha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians including two brothers died in airstrikes on al Subha, local media said – though it was unclear who was responsible. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the US-led Coalition. According to Al Sharq News “intense” raids by the Coalition were occurring in the area. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
5 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1665a

Location

الكواشية, Al Kwashiya, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported that Coalition warplanes shelled areas in the vicinity of Al-Kwaishia village in the southern countryside of Hasaka. According to a single source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a child was killed. Other sources reported that a child named Omar Thamer al - Shibli was injured. @ShMC99 claimed that two children were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1665

Location

البصيرة, Al Busayra or Al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six named civilians including one woman died in an airstrike on al Basira, local media said. Marsad al Hassaka reported the death of “Mohammad Manadi al Sha’aran known as Baj’eeb“. The source said that he died “in front of the Grand Mosque in Al-Basira, as a result of the air raids”. In a second report,…

Summary

Published
4 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1658 RS2669

Location

السكرية, Al Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians – two women and two girls – died in an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of al Sukkariya, local media reported. It was unclear who was responsible, though one source attributed the event to Russia. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “four citizen women including two girls were killed as a…

Summary

Published
2 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident