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

3–6 December, 2018

Incident Code

CS1869

Location

البوبدران, All Soussa: Al-Boubdaran (al Salam neighbourhood), Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that a named civilian man from Al-Salam neighborhood in Al-Boubdaran district, was killed by an alleged Coalition airstrike. Euphrates Post for example reported that "Ahmed Ramadan Al-Baghouz, a civilian from the town of Al-Soussa / Al-Salam neighborhood  / Al-Boubdaran district, was killed by a Coaltion air strike." Sources reported on the incident…

Summary

Published
3 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

2–4 December, 2018

Incident Code

CS1863

Location

البوبدران, Al Soussa: al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child from the town of Abu Kamal died of his injuries according to multiple sources, following shrapnel injuries to the head received at some point in an air or artillery strike between December 2nd and 4th. Abdul Aziz Maher Jamal Al-Khabour died in the village of al Boubadran near al Soussa. Smart News said that…

Summary

Published
2 December 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1862

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted Yarmouk Women’s Hospital and killed between 10 and 45 civilians, including women, children and medical staff in addition to members of ISIS. According to AE24, a source in the Deir Ezzor civil council of the Syrian opposition said that "more than 40 civilians were killed, in addition…

Summary

Published
29 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
10–45
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1859

Location

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a building which appeared to be in use as a Daesh prison at dawn on Wedneday November 28th. Reports on the number of civilian casualties varied widely between six and 100 civilians. RT reported that six civilians died in the attack, whereas other sources such as Baladi News and Horrya…

Summary

Published
28 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
6–100
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1860

Location

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition night time airstrike targeted the house of a displaced Iraqi family in Al Kashma and killed an Iraqi woman, according to local sources. Hajin News for example reported that as well as a Coalition strike on an ISIS prison in the town that day, the US-led alliance "also targeted a home that…

Summary

Published
28 November 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

28 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1861

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted Al Sha'afa and killed one civilian man. The Youth of al Soussa reported that Ali Jassim Mohammed Al Furaiji died in "treacherous raids" on the town, though did not specify a culprit. Hajin News and the Syrian Observatory blamed the US-led Coalition. According to the Syrian Network,…

Summary

Published
28 November 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