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

31 October 2017

Incident Code

CI873

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz (near al-Qaiem, Iraq), Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later announced the injuries of two civilians in an event near al Qaim. Their June 2018 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike destroyed Daesh headquarters, two civilians were unintentionally injured." The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1652 RS2663

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A family of up to six civilians died in airstrikes on Al Soussa town, according to local media. While most sources said that Russia was to blame, two alleged that the Coalition was responsible. One other source pointed towards the Syrian regime. The majority of sources (Al Latamna Youth Gathering, Al Jisr, Baladi, Eldorar, Step…

Summary

Published
30 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1651

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to Sharqiya Voice, “military aircraft launched several air raids on the city of Hajeen in eastern rural Deir Ezzor. The bombing focused on a number of civilian homes and the vicinity of the public market; there was news of the death of a woman and the wounding of others”. The Syrian Observatory for Human…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 October 2017

Incident Code

CI872

Location

Al Qaim (Romana area), Al Anbar, Iraq
Sources reported the deaths of 22 civilians and dozens of wounded as a result of an airstrike on the Romana area in Al Qaim. Local media outlets Yaqein and Dhiqar also reported the bombing. Both quoted a military source confirming the airstrike. However, Yaqein, as well as Dhiqar, mentioned both the Coalition and the Iraqi…

Summary

Published
26 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
22
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1649 ISSY002

Location

سحم الجولان, Sahm al Jolan, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported the death of up to seven civilians, including three women and two children, and up to ten ISIS affiliated militants from Jaish Khalid bin al Walid, as a result of either Coalition or Israeli airstrikes on Sahm al Jolan. The Daraa Martys Documentation Office reported Coalition airstrikes on Sahm al Jolan, “where…

Summary

Published
23 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Israeli Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1648

Location

Qosor neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 22 civilians died and 32 were wounded in an airstrike on the Qosour neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor, according to local media. The regime accused the US-led Coalition of carrying out the strike. However, the Coalition categorically denied it. Other sources point towards the regime Euphrates Post reported that 20 civilians died and 30…

Summary

Published
22 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
14–22
Civilians reported injured
30–32
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident