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

25 November 2019

Incident Codes

CS1938 ISSY007 RS4202

Location

ترحين, Tarhin, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian, Syrian regime, Israeli or US-led Coalition airstrikes on Tarhin village, Aleppo governorate, on November 25th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians were wounded. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "local sources said that six explosions were heard in different areas, and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 November 2019

Incident Code

CS1937

Location

حي اللطوة, Latwa neighbourhood, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male was killed and one woman and five children from the same family injured after an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted their home in Al Latwa neighbourhood of the town of Dhiban, Deir Ezzor governorate, on November 22nd, 2019, according to local sources. Two members of the SDF were also reported killed and another…

Summary

Published
22 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–6
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2019

Incident Code

CS1936

Location

خبيرة, Khubeirah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three tents were reportedly bombed in alleged Coalition airstrikes in Khabira area in the northeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It is unclear how many people died in this event. The Observatory reported that "the tents were set up about a week ago by people who claimed to…

Summary

Published
8 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 October 2019

Incident Code

CS1935

Location

باريشا, Barisha, Idlib, Syria
Up to nine civilians including two women and three children were reported killed in the US military operation that successfully targeted ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi in Barisha village in Idlib countryside, Syria, on October 26th, 2019. Al-Baghdadi was an ISIS leader who declared himself a Caliphate in Mosul, Iraq in 2014, and according…

Summary

Published
26 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
5–11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2019

Incident Code

CS1934

Location

الطيانة, Al Tayyana, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One or two people were killed in airstrikes on the town of Al Tayyana, Deir Ezzor governorate, in the night of October 2nd 2019. Nedaa and Deirezzor24 reported that international coalition forces launched raids and searches in cooperation with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). A reporter of Deir Ezzor 24 noted that an airdrop operation…

Summary

Published
22 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2019

Incident Code

CS1933

Location

ذيبان, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed when Coalition forces and special forces from the SDF carried out a landing operation in Dhiban, "targeting a house inhabited by people who are not residents of the town". Deir Ezzor reported that "a number of wanted persons were killed and a number of others managed to escape. Others were…

Summary

Published
20 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident