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

16 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1498 RS2457

Location

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Nine to 19 civilians, including an “entire family,” died following airstrikes on Mahkan, about 45km southeast of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US- led Coalition and others to Russian warplanes. There were no reports of wounded. According to Ortas, Coalition aircraft…

Summary

Published
16 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–19
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1499

Location

Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians, including two women and two children, died following airstrikes on residential areas of Al Kornish, Al Mayadin, according to multiple local sources. At present it is unclear who was responsible as the majority of sources did not identify the aircraft. Russia was blamed by four reports, the US-led Coalition was accused…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1495

Location

السوا, Al Sa'awa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two to six civilians died in airstrikes on an IDP camp in the village of Al Sa’wa in the western suburb of Deir Al Ghazur, according to local sources. The location is disputed, as Sharqiya24 and Deirezzor24 cited “the water crossing” as the location and not the camp. Marsad Al Hasaka named victims. The source added…

Summary

Published
15 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1496 RS2451

Location

شميطية, Shumaytiyah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman, died after unidentified warplanes conducted a raid on the town of Shumaytiyah (شمیطیة) in rural west Deir Ezzor, local sources said. There is limited information on the incident, Airwars will update the entry when new information arises. Additionally, Deir Ezzor 24 and Asharq Asouri named two adult males as killed at a refugee camp…

Summary

Published
15 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1493

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian man died in the city of Raqqa, according to multiple local sources. Initial reports said his death was caused by airstrikes conducted by the US-led Coalition. However this was refuted by the group Raqqa Journalists Without Borders, which claimed he died in a “painful accident”. No additional details are available at present.

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1494 Rs2450

Location

سعلو, Deir Ez-Zor, Sa'alu, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One female civilian, died in an alleged airstrike on the village of Sa’alu, according to local media. The US-led Coalition and Russia were both cited as culprit, amongst multiple references to unidentified aircraft. According to Qasioun, the Coalition bombed Sa’alu as part of an aerial offensive that targeted multiple villages in the east of Deir…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident