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

11 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1832

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 20 and as many as 60 non-combatants died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Sha'afa, according to local media. A number of sources including Baladi News and the Syrian Unified Observatory, reported that the airstrikes hit both the towns of Al Sha'afa and Al Kashma, killing mostly civilians including women and children. According…

Summary

Published
11 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
20–60
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1831

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between five and 12 civilians including women and children died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin, according to local media. Baladi News reported on five civilian deaths, while most other sources reported on the deaths of seven civilians. There were various reports on the gender and age of the victims. Some sources reported that…

Summary

Published
11 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1830

Location

السوسة, Al Sousse, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Step News Agency reported that the Coalition "bombed the eastern suburb of Deir Ezzor with white phosphorus last night [Nov 10th]. It also renewed  shelling of Hajin city and the town of al-Sousse". It added that deaths were reported, but didn't give numbers. Al Khabar also claimed that white phosphorous was used, asserting that "the…

Summary

Published
10 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1829

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between four and 26 civilians died in alleged US-led Coalition airstrikes on the town of Hajin on November 10th, 2018, according to local sources. An unknown number of others was injured. Sources claimed that many of the victims were women and children. Sana News put the death toll at four, reporting that "the US-led coalition carried…

Summary

Published
10 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–26
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1827

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that between 11 and 26 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin, in what some sources described as "a massacre".  In June 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for just one death in this event, with their monthly civilian casualty report noting: "Near Hajin, Syria, via media report. Coalition aircraft conducted…

Summary

Published
9 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11–26
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1828

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 20 civilian died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Shaafa, according to sources on the ground. Deir Ezzor 24 reported that "many" civilians had died in the strike - and blamed the Coalition. Al Shaafa Official put the death toll at 20, again pointing to the US-led alliance - and adding that…

Summary

Published
9 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
11–20
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident