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

8 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1870

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that on December 8th, Coalition aircraft carried out multiple airstrikes on the town of Hajin, which allegedly resulted in "dozens of civilian casualties". The full claim from Raqqa is Being Slaughtered read as follows: "Over the past few hours, the International Alliance aircraft have carried out dozens of air strikes on…

Summary

Published
8 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
6–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1868

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One young girl named as Maryam Abdel Salam was reported killed in an alleged  artillery strike on Hajin. Some sources reported that the attack was conducted by SDF ground forces using artillery while one source reported on "shelling of French artillery". With the SDF not known to have had access to artillery at Hajin, this indicates…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6–7 December, 2018

Incident Code

CS1866

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five to eight civilians were reported killed in an alleged airstrike at Hajin according to sources on the ground. All victims were said to be women and children. According to Syrian state media SANA News, "warplanes of the US-led Coalition attacked several residential houses in Hajin city on Thursday night or Friday morning, claiming the lives…

Summary

Published
6 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1865

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike killed up to 25 civilians according to sources on the ground. The dead reportedly included the families of two ISIS fighters. A single source, Suriye UAD Facebook page, reported that five civilians were killed including a woman, whereas other sources such as Step News and Baladi News reported that as many…

Summary

Published
5 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
12–25
Civilians reported injured
17
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5–6 December, 2018

Incident Code

CS1867

Location

البوبدران, Al Soussa: Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike killed one named adult civilian male, according to sources on the ground. One source by the name of Sami Aleweti, who appears to have been a family member, reported that the man, Jassim al Attawi, was killed in a "barbaric bombardment" by a Coalition aircraft on the village of Al-Boubadran in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 December 2018

Incident Code

CS1864

Location

البوبدران, Al Soussa: al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 12 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Boubadran in Al Soussa. Radio al Kul reported that a child was killed in Al Boubadran, while most other sources reported on the deaths of four women and and three children. Hajin News for example reported that "Four women and three…

Summary

Published
4 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident