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

30 June 2019

Incident Codes

CS1921 RS3856

Location

ريف المهندسين الأول, Rif Al Mouhandessen Al Awal, Aleppo, Syria
A confirmed Coalition strike with high-explosive missiles against Al Qaeda at Rif Al Mouhandessen near Aleppo on the afternoon of June 30th is also locally reported to have injured at least two children and two women, and killed a number of foreign AQ-linked fighters. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that the strike was carried…

Summary

Published
30 June 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–11
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Military actors reported killed
3–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2019

Incident Code

CS1920

Location

الشحيل, Al Shahil, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a three hour operation between midnight and dawn in the al Katef neighborhood in the city of Al Shahil, at least five people were killed. Most local sources that reported on the incident claimed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were responsible, with air support from the International Coalition. According to the Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
8 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24–25 April, 2019

Incident Code

CS1919

Location

ماشخ أو الضمان, Al Daman or Mashikh village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that at least four civilians from the same family were killed in a joint operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces with air support from Coalition fighter jets around 1 am between April 24th and 25th. Baladi claimed that Coalition helicopters participated in the raid. While most sources, including an eyewitness and the…

Summary

Published
24 April 2019
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 April 2019

Incident Code

CS1918

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ali al-Muhammed al-Furaiji and his two wives were killed in the morning of April 15th, when their house was hit by an alleged Coalition airstrike, multiple local sources reported - though there was also a claim that the deaths had been caused by an explosion of an ISIS-planted mine. @alhasensaleem tweeted that "a whole family"…

Summary

Published
15 April 2019
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 April 2019

Incident Code

CS1917

Location

الطكيحي, Al Takihi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between midnight and 5 am on the morning of April 13th five people were reportedly killed in what was described as a "landing operation" by the US-led Coalition in Al-Takihi village. According to Jisir TV, the operation was carried out by several Apache helicopters and Hummer vehicles. It was, however, unclear who killed the victims (whose…

Summary

Published
13 April 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
8
Military actors reported killed
0–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 March 2019

Incident Code

CI878

Location

الرطبة, Rutba, Al Anbar, Iraq
A girl was reported killed and a man injured when an airstrike was carried on a house in Al-Oudan district, north of Rutba, Anbar province, Iraq. The airstrikes were believed to be carried out by American forces. The other members of the family were reportedly arrested but the reason remains unknown. In July 2019 the…

Summary

Published
24 March 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident