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

16 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1837

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local media, an alleged Coalition airstrike killed ISIS member Yousuf Mahmoud al-Mohsen and his wife Furat Imad Awwad al-Hamad. According to Euphrates Post and others, al-Mohsen was an early member and conspirator of the terrorist organisation ISIS in al Soussa: "Following the killing of Yousef Mahmoud al-Mohsen in addition to his wife Furat Imad…

Summary

Published
16 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

16 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1838

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition night time airstrike killed "a number of civilians" and injured others, according to local media. Several sources including the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported the deaths of two civilian brothers. According to sources including Zaman Al Wasl, Al Soussa News, Al Shaafa News and the Syrian Unified Observatory, the injured…

Summary

Published
16 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1836

Location

البوبدران, Al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a residential area and reportedly killed between eight and 23 civilians, in what local sources described as "a massacre". According to Sana News, 23 civilians died as a result of the airstrike. Step News  and Euphrates Post reported that a total of 20 people died. Step added that 17 belonged…

Summary

Published
15 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–23
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1835

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition night time airstrike targeted a prison killing a number of prisoners, according to local media sources. Most sources report that among the victims were both ISIS and civilian prisoners. According to Furat FM, at least 11 members of ISIS were killed. Among others Orient News, Smart News and Step News Agency reported however…

Summary

Published
13 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1834

Location

الكشمة و الشعفة, Al Kashma and Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Alleged Coalition airstrikes targeted Al Kashma and Al Sha'afa in what was described as "a new massacre of dozens of civilians" according to local media. Between 20 and 50 civilians were reported to have died as a result of "25 raids" on both locations on November 13th. According to Orient News, both Al Kashma and…

Summary

Published
13 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
20–50
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11–12 November, 2018

Incident Code

CS1833

Location

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 10 and as many as 60 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Kashma, according to local media. Airstrikes were carried out in Al Shaafa and Al Kashma around the same time, and most sources reported on a combined number of civilian casualties as a result of airstrikes in both places. The airstrikes…

Summary

Published
11 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
10–60
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident