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

20 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1844

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Coalition was said to have fired white phosphorus munitions on Hajin, according to sources on the ground. Free Deir Ezzor Radio claimed that it was the sixth time Coalition forces used white phosphorus during the month. Amongst others, Sound and Picture and Sana News claimed that civilians were killed and injured, but exact numbers…

Summary

Published
20 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Incendiary
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1842

Location

قرية الحنة, Al Hanna village, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to local sources, people took to the streets in demonstration after one man was killed and his two children injured or killed when shells hit their house in Al-Hanna. Jisr TV reported it was a total of 14 shells that caused the killing of the man and the injuries of his children. According to…

Summary

Published
19 November 2018
Strike Type
Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1843

Location

حويزية, Huweiziya village, al Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to local sources, 13-year-old Ali Matar al-Hammad was killed by a cluster bomb that was left behind after previous bombing on the village of Hweiziyah in rural Shaddadi, south of Hasaka. Several sources including Step News Agency blamed the Coalition.  However according to a number of tweets from amongst others @Syria_News5 and @SyriaNewsNetwrk, the cluster bomb was…

Summary

Published
19 November 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

17 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1841

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 12 and 24 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin, Deir Ezzor. All sources pointed to Coalition artillery and shelling excluding Syrian Unified Observatory - which blamed the Syrian regime for the airstrikes. Sound and Picture called the event an "aerial bombardment" where "dozens" were injured, while Step News reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1839

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A girl was killed in an alleged airstrike on Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, according to local reports. Smart News reported that dozens were wounded including the relatives of the victim, specifying that "her uncle was seriously injured". Three sources including Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor 24, reported that the Coalition was responsible. Further to this,…

Summary

Published
17 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1840

Location

قرية ابوالحسن(البقعان جزيرة)ة, Abo Al Hassan (al-Buqa'an Jazeera), East of Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 15 and 53 civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike with "heavy shelling" on the village of Abo Al Hassan, east of Hajin in the Deir Ezzor governorate, according to locals. Sources claimed that the death toll would rise due to the difficulty in getting civilians out of the rubble. This was reportedly…

Summary

Published
17 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
15–53
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident