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

29 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1123

Location

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A girl was killed and up to 20 others were injured in airstrikes on Mahkan, however claims concerning who was responsible were contested. News Jorf claimed that the Coalition was responsible, meanwhile, Baladi News alleged that the Syrian government was responsible. The remaining eight sources reporting the incident did not make any claims as with…

Summary

Published
29 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1124

Location

مراط, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian male was killed in airstrikes on the village of Mrat, in eastern Deir Ezzor, however it was not clear who was responsible. One source, JP News, alleged that the Coalition was responsible. Meanwhile, three sources alleged that Russian warplanes were behind the airstrikes. Seven sources did not make any claims about responsibility or…

Summary

Published
29 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1117

Location

الطيانة, Al Tayyana, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least one civilian male, but possibly as many as two, died in airstrikes on Al Tayyana, according to local media – though it was initially unclear whether the Coalition or Russia was responsible. The US-led alliance accepted responsibility in September 2017. Five sources reported that only one fatality was caused by the airstrikes, however…

Summary

Published
28 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1118 RS2305

Location

دبلان, Dablan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 60 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Dablan, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the event, with allegations against the Coalition, Russia and the Syrian regime. The pro-regime source, Damas Press, put the death toll at 40 and blamed the…

Summary

Published
28 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
21–60
Civilians reported injured
12–60
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1119

Location

الصور, Al Soor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Eight civilians, including a child, were killed and “many” others were wounded in Al Soor in northern Deir Ezzor following airstrikes allegedly carried out by the Coalition, local sources reported. Sharqiya Voice and Al Jisr TV reported that the strikes hit a shopping area of the city, which were believed to have targeted the “consumer…

Summary

Published
28 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1120

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian male was killed following a cluster bomb attack on Al Mayadin, Euphrates Post reported. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed the Coalition and reported that the attack was carried out after midnight. The source added that the man died from his injuries. No further details are available.

Summary

Published
28 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident