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

3–4 January, 2019

Incident Code

CS1881

Location

الكشكية, Al Khishkiya or Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria
During an exchange of small arms fire, an alleged Coalition helicopter strike hit a civilian home in the town of Al-Kashkiya, east of Deir Al-Zour. Between six and ten civilians from the same family were reported killed, including women and children. In January 2020, the Coalition accepted responsibility for the deaths of nine civilians in…

Summary

Published
3 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
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

2 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1879

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to sources on the ground, alleged Coalition air and artillery fire targeted a house which ISIS was reportedly using, killing several ISIS members in addition to a number of civilians. According to the official Al Shaafa Facebook page, one of the shells landed on the house of Al-Hamad Al-Ali, killing both him and Ibrahim Al-Hasan. His…

Summary

Published
2 January 2019
Civilians reported killed
2–20
Civilians reported injured
3–70
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1878

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ali Jassem Khudair al-Suwaiyi, a civilian non combatant male from the town of Al-Soussa, was alleged killed as a result of an airstrike and/ or shelling on civilian houses, according to sources on the ground.  Deir Ezzor 24 for example reported "The killing of Ali Jassem Khader al-Suwaiy as a result of the bombing of…

Summary

Published
26 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1876

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike killed and injured a number of civilians on the morning of December 21st. Although some sources reported that the incident took place on December 20th (when another similar incident occurred) the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights distinguished the two as separate events. Local sources reported the killing of 27 people, mostly…

Summary

Published
21 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
14–27
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1875

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A number of civilians, including women and children, were reported killed and wounded by an alleged Coalition airstrike on a "civilian house" in the town of Al-Shaafa on the morning of December 20th. The Coalition later admitted that two civilians were killed in the incident in Al-Shaafa. According to sources on the ground, between 6…

Summary

Published
20 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18–21 December, 2018

Incident Code

CS1877

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported the killing of the Basem Al-Hussein family as a result of artillery shelling on the town of Hajin. The bodies of eight named family members were allegedly pulled from the rubble, mostly women and an unknown number of children. All sources reported on the incident on December 21st, but the exact date…

Summary

Published
18 December 2018
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident