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

10 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1886

Location

البوبدران, Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to sources on the ground, air and artillery strikes targeted the town of Al Boubadran, which allegedly resulted in the deaths and injuries of an unspecified number of civilians. Most sources blamed the Coalition. Sousseh Facebook page specifically blamed "heavy shelling by French artillery and criminal airstrikes." Although some sources also alleged that SDF artillery…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9–10 January, 2019

Incident Code

CS1884

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to sources on the ground, a family of five civilians was killed "by artillery shelling of SDF" on their house in the town of Al Soussa. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the family consisted of three children and their parents who were all killed. The Network dated the incident to January…

Summary

Published
10 January 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1883a

Location

المرشدة, Marishidah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an event previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of two civilians and the injury of another near Marishidah, Syria. This was later declared to be a US-only civilian harm event. In its July 2019 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted the following: "Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against…

Summary

Published
5 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1882a

Location

near Ash Sha'fa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an event previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in an artillery strike near Ash Sha'fa, Syria. This was later confirmed by the Pentagon to be a US-only event. In its June 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: "Coalition artillery conducted a strike against a Daesh…

Summary

Published
4 January 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1882

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Alleged Coalition airstrike and artillery shelling targeted a residential area in Al Shaafa town, reportedly killing a total of six civilians. Among the declared victims were a family of four civilians that were killed when artillery shelling targeted their house. In addition, Sputnik reported the death of a Chechen civilian woman. Citing Khida Saratov, a member…

Summary

Published
4 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1880

Location

بادية 24 في الشعفة, Badia 24, 1km east of Al Shaafa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, an alleged Coalition airstrike struck a residential house near the town of Al-Shaafa on the afternoon of January the 3rd. Between 7 and 13 civilians were initially reported killed, including women and children. The UN later raised this tally to 16 fatalities and two injuries. The house owner Sulaiman Mohammed al-Ahdab…

Summary

Published
3 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
16
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident