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

18 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1812

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa: Ammar bin Yasser moque, al Boubadran village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least 10 and as many as 60 civilians were reported killed  by the US-led Coalition after a strike or strikes hit the Ammar bin Yasser mosque in Al Boubadran village near al Soussa. The event may have been confused in some media and social media reports to one or two additional nearby civilian harm…

Summary

Published
18 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
10–60
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1811

Location

السوسة, al Soussa: Home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab in al Aaliyya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least 9 and as many as 15 civilians were reported killed, described as women and children of Iraqi origin, following a reported Coalition airstrike on the home of Mohammed al-Obeid al-Hattab in al Soussa. The event may be confused in some media and social media reports with one or two nearby additional civilian harm…

Summary

Published
18 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
9–15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1810

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local reports said that four non combatants (perhaps along with two ISIS fighters) were killed in a Coalition air or artillery strike on al Bahra. Syrian United Observatory and tweeter Shabab al Latamna both reported four civilians killed. In its own report, Step News noted that “Four civilians and two members of Daesh were killed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1809

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians were reported killed in air and/or artillery strikes on the town of al Soussa during ongoing heavy fighting. Most sources described a Coalition air or artillery strike on one of the town’s bakeries, which reportedly killed four non combatants. Al Alam News for example reported that “US Coalition forces targeted the…

Summary

Published
13 October 2018
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1808

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A named adult civilian male was reported killed by Coalition shellling at al Soussa, in an attack which also was said to have killed five ISIS fighters. Radio al Kul and a number of other sources noted only the deaths of the ISIS fighters. According to Syrian PC one of them was a high value…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1806

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to four civilians including a child were reported killed in Coalition airstrikes on al Sha’afa, according to a number of sources. The victims were described as internally displaced people (IDPs) by al Sha’afa town’s Facebook page, which noted “Confirmation of the killing of four civilians in Al-Sha’afa in the recent raids on the town.…

Summary

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