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

19 September 2019

Incident Code

CS1932

Location

الزر, Al Zer, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two unidentified men were killed by an alleged drone strike from the International Coalition in the morning of September 19th, according to local sources. It is unclear whether these were civilians. Several sources claimed the men were masked and riding a motorcycle when they were hit by an airstrike, which Euphrates Post believed to have…

Summary

Published
19 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2019

Incident Code

CS1930

Location

بين معيزيلة و مراط‎, Between Mu'ayzila and Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The child Ali al-Ahmad was alleged killed at dawn during a landing operation carried out by the International Coalition. According to Shaam News, "a coalition landing operation with the SDF [targeted] a civilian home between the towns of Mu'ayzila and the village of Marat on the old road between Deir al-Zour and al-Hasakeh governorates." Local…

Summary

Published
4 September 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2019

Incident Code

CS1931

Location

الحداجة, Al Hadaja, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported that two civilians were killed during a landing operation from the International Coalition forces. According to Asrar7days, "local sources indicated that the US occupation helicopters carried out an aerial landing by the lake of Al-Bassel dam towards the east, reaching Wadi Al-Raml and another in Al-Haddaja village amid fear and panic among…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 September 2019

Incident Code

CS1929

Location

العزبة, Al Ezba, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that 15-year old Alloush Suleiman Al-Subhi was killed during a raid on Al-Ezba in the evening on September 3rd. Several sources claimed that Coalition forces and Kurdish militias conducted an airdrop in the area. The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) reported that Alloush was shot by SDF forces, with air support from…

Summary

Published
3 September 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 August 2019

Incident Code

CS1928

Location

كفرجالس, Kafr Jalis, Idlib, Syria
In an airstrike confirmed by CENTCOM, US forces struck what it reported to be an Al-Qaeda command center in northern Idlib. Local sources reported that the US strike struck a military headquarters belonging to "Ansar Al-Tawhid" in the town of Kafr Nabil, but added that civilian houses were struck nearby as well, resulting in a…

Summary

Published
31 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
22–29
Civilians reported injured
22
Military actors reported killed
14–51
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2019

Incident Code

CS1927

Location

المانعية, Al Man’iya, Raqqa, Syria
"Two unidentified men" were reported killed in a Coalition ground operation in Al-Mananiya, east of Raqqa, on August 16th. Suriye.u.a.d stated that "two unidentified men [were] killed after being shot by Coalition forces that carried out an airstrike on the village of Al-Mananiya east of Raqqa." Meanwhile, Shaam News stated that "Coalition Forces conducted an…

Summary

Published
16 August 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident