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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

3 January 2020

Incident Code

CI879

Location

مطار بغداد الدولي‎, Baghdad International Aiport, Baghdad, Iraq
Possibly one civilian was killed and an unknown number of civilians injured in a confirmed U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian national Qassam Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, on Baghdad International Airport at January 3rd, 2020. The New York Times reported that an "American MQ-9 Reaper drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving…

Summary

Published
3 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
11–13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 December 2019

Incident Code

CS1942

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Around ten people were killed and an unknown number wounded in alleged Coalition artillery strikes that reportedly targeted Iranian and Lebanese militias in the city of Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor governorate, on December 25th, 2019, according to local sources. It is unclear if those killed were civilians or belligerents. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
25 December 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military actors reported killed
7–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2019

Incident Code

CS1941

Location

دوار قرموطي, Qarmouti Roundabout, Al Hassakah, Syria
Manar Saqer, female, aged 27, was reported killed on December 21st 2019, after she was run over by a US-led Coalition vehicle (truck) near Qarmouti square in Qamishli, Syria, according to local sources. Manar was reported hit while she was returning back from her work around 17:30 local time. Another source believed the victim killed…

Summary

Published
21 December 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

CS1940

Location

طريق بين عفرين وإعزاز، قريب من تقاطع قيبار, Road between Afrin and A’zaz, close to Qibar Junction, Aleppo, Syria
Up to three people were reported killed - one of whom was said to be a militant leader in the Ahrar al-Sham Movement which is affiliated with the Syrian National Army - in an alleged Coalition drone strike on their car on Afrin- Azaz road in Aleppo, Syria, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources.…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military actors reported killed
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 December 2019

Incident Code

CS1939

Location

أطمة, Atma, Idlib, Syria
A militant leader, named as Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir, was killed when his vehicle was reportedly struck by the US-led Coalition, local sources said. Reports added that two of Abu Ahmed al-Muhajir's "companions" also died in the strike, though their combat status was unclear. A private source told Baladi News: "A reconnaissance plane ammunition by the…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military actors reported killed
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 November 2019

Incident Code

CS1939a

Location

قرب قرية الميلبية على طريق الشدادي, near Al Milbiya village on Al Shadadi road, Al Hassakah, Syria
SANA reported: "A number of civilians were injured when a convoy for US occupation forces hit a microbus on al-Shadadi road in Hasaka southern countryside. The SANA reporter said that a convoy for US occupation forces on Wednesday [Nov 25th] afternoon hit a microbus carrying civilians near al-Milbiyah village on al-Shadadi- Hasaka road in the…

Summary

Published
27 November 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident