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

27 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1818

Location

الظهرة ,الشعفة, Dhahra, Al Shafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On October 30th a single source, Al-Sha’fa Facebook page, reported an alleged Coalition airstrike “on a house in the outskirts of Dhahra.” The source said: “We don’t know who the house belonged to, but the whole family was killed”. The source was unable to specify the precise date of the reported civilian harm, noting that…

Summary

Published
27 October 2018
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1814b

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to the source Marsad al Hassaka, “more than 20 civilians were killed in an air strike by international coalition aircraft on a house in the town of al-Soussa in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour. There were dozens of air strikes targeting civilian houses and large-scale destruction in the town amid attempts by the SDF…

Summary

Published
24 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1815

Location

مسجد الزوية, Hajin: Al Zawiya mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A Coalition airstrike hit the Al-Zawiya Mosque in Hajin - the fourth reported airstrike on a mosque carried out by the Coalition in the governorate of Deir Ezzor in less than a week. Local sources claimed that at least 7 and up to 16 civilians died in this attack. Free Deir Ezzor said that there…

Summary

Published
24 October 2018
Civilians reported killed
7–16
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1814a

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa: Mosque and internet cafe, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Several civilians were killed and injured in alleged Coalition air and/or artillery strikes on a mosque and internet café in Al Soussa, according to a single source – though a number of other reports said that the victims were members of ISIS. Euphrates Post reported that “a number of members of the Islamic State organization…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1813

Location

البوبدران, Al Soussa: Othman Bin Affan mosque, al Boubadran village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what several sources described as “a massacre”, at least 8 and as many as 70 civilians were alleged killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Osman Bin Affan Mosque in the village of Al-Sousse after Friday prayers. The incident occurred after two other reported incidents on October 18th in and around al Soussa, targeting…

Summary

Published
19 October 2018
Civilians reported killed
8–70
Civilians reported injured
12–100
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1814

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged fourth problem Coalition airstrike in the governorate of Deir Ezzor over a 48 hour period allegedly hit a ‘Qur’anic institute’ (a place in which the Qur’an is taught) in Hajin, in what some local sources described as another “horrific massacre”. Various sources reported that the airstrike killed six civilians and wounded several others.…

Summary

Published
19 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident