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

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1485 RS2443

Location

بقرص تحتاني, Bokros Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between seven and nine civilians died including three children and one woman and up to 17 others were wounded in airstrikes on the al Qasr area of Bokros Tahtani, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Step News Agency and…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Civilians reported injured
17
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1486 RS2445

Location

البصيرة, Al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian died in an airstrike on al Basira, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the regime were to blame. Reports said that the strikes hit to post office building. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Moen_dndil attributed the event to the Coalition. However,…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1487 RS2446

Location

مراط, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian died in an airstrike on Mrat, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame for this death. According to Syrianoor, “Activists confirmed that more than 100 civilians – mostly children and women – died during four massacres committed by Russian warplanes and international coalition aircraft in the city…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

CS1488

Location

العشارة, Al A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that members of ISIS families died in airstrikes which hit homes in al A’shara/Al Hawa – though none of the reports said who was responsible for the incident. Moreover, there was some dispute over the location of the strike, and whether the homes struck belonged to civilians. According to Euphrates Post, “Two…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1489 RS2448

Location

الخريطة, Al Kharita, river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources named one woman as killed and her husband and “some members of his family” wounded in an airstrike on a river crossing at al Kharita. Most sources didn’t identify the culprit. However, according to Sadaa alsham, Russia was to blame for the death of one civilian in al Kharita. The regime captured the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1481 RS2439

Location

الميادين, Al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what has been described as a massacre, between five and 45 civilians were killed and 14 to 90 were injured in alleged Russian, Syrian regime or Coalition airstrikes on the city of Al-Mayadeen in Deir Ezzor, described by local sources as the “most important stronghold for Daesh in the region”. An initial report from…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
5–45
Civilians reported injured
12–90
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident