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

8,249 – 13,342

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 3,003 separate alleged incidents.

1,728 – 2,371
children likely killed
1,127 – 1,468
women likely killed
5,930
likely injured
3,784
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,457

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 364 separate incidents of civilian harm.

411
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,217 – 29,816
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
3,003 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,249 – 13,342
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,553 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,397 – 2,821
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
435 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,877 – 12,576
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
783 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
694 – 1,077
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
232 seperate alleged incidents
2996 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

22 October 2020

Incident Code

CS1952

Location

جكارة, Jakara, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians were allegedly killed and one injured in a unilateral US airstrike on Jakara near the Turkish border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights "documented more human losses, as a result of the US air strikes on a 'dinner' in the village of Jakara in the countryside of Salqin near the Syrian border with…

Summary

Published
22 October 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
10–17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2020

Incident Code

CS1951

Location

المجيد أو المجبل, Al Majid or Al Majbal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A possible civilian male was killed in an alleged US-led Coalition airdrop operation in the village of Al Majbal or Al Majid, Deir Ezzor governorate, on October 16th, 2020. While some local sources reported that the man was a civilian, others wrote the man was suspected of being affiliated with ISIS or a previous member…

Summary

Published
16 October 2020
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2020

Incident Code

CS1950

Location

عرب سعيد, Arab Saeed, Idlib, Syria
A child and a humanitarian worker were reported killed, in addition to two leaders from Al Qaeda affiliated Hurras Addin group, and other civilians reported injured after a US drone allegedly struck two cars simultaneously in Arab Sa'eed town, west of Idlib in Syria on October 15th, 2020. On October 29th, the organisation Bonyan announced…

Summary

Published
15 October 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2020

Incident Code

CS1949

Location

جديد عكيدات, Jadid Akidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that a civilian was killed and two others were wounded when the US-led Coalition forces and SDF undertook a landing in Jadid Uqaydat in Deir Ezzor on September 29th, 2020. Two other people, described as oil merchants, were reported arrested as a result of the operation. The killed person was named by…

Summary

Published
29 September 2020
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2020

Incident Code

CI881

Location

بين أبو زوير وحدود حي الحديثة, Between Abu Zuwair and the Al Haditha district border, Salah Al Din, Iraq
Up to four civilians were reported killed in Abu Zuwair, Baiji in Iraq on June 30th, 2020 when a US-led coalition drone bombed them after they carried wreckage of a US-led coalition drone that had crashed earlier on that day. Local reports said that the raid resulted in killing up to four shepherds and the…

Summary

Published
30 June 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2020

Incident Code

CS1948

Location

الطريق بين بنش ادلب, Road between Idlib and Binnish, Idlib, Syria
A civilian was reportedly killed in alleged US-led Coalition or Turkish drone strikes on the road between Idlib city and Binnish, Idlib governorate, on June 24th, 2020, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib told Smart New Agency that "an ammunition drone had targeted a Santa Fe car with missiles and destroyed…

Summary

Published
24 June 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident