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

10 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1807

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source alleged that several dozen prisoners being held by Islamic State were killed when their prison was struck by the US-led Coalition or its allies the SDF. The Facebook site Exiles of the Euphrates claimed the following: “An old and sly policy of Daesh – when you want to lose a village or…

Summary

Published
10 October 2018
Civilians reported killed
24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1805

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian house was reported destroyed in a Coalition airstrike on al Soussa. Two media reports said that non-combatants died. A tweet by @ashameree199 described “A raid by the International Coalition against the house and shops of Mr. Rafie al-Ghannam, which is inhabited by the families of fighters of the organization’ [IS]  with Iraqi nationality,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1804

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local reports, a Coalition drone or air strike – or possibly a mortar strike by local US proxies the SDF – killed a woman and her two children in the town of Hajin in Deir Ezzor governorate. Euphrates Post named the victims as the wife of Khaled Al-Hajij and her two daughters [named as Ruqayya and Noura Khaled al Hjeij by the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1803

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to four civilians from the same family including a baby girl (named as the daughter of Hamad Mussah Shahab) died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a civilian home on Al Soussa, according to sources on the ground. Sources reported that the Coalition carried out several strikes on the area amid violent clashes between the SDF…

Summary

Published
3 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2018

Incident Code

CS1802

Location

مسجد الهشيم السوسة, Al Soussa: al Hashim mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that the US-led Coalition bombed the al Hashim mosque in al Soussa. However, it was unclear whether the 29 to 33 people reported killed were civilians or members of ISIS. The Step News Agency said that the strike was carried out at dawn on October 1st, while the Syrian Network for Human…

Summary

Published
1 October 2018
Civilians reported killed
0–33
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1801

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian died after being hit by “SDF artillery” in al Soussa, according to local media. It is Airwars’ understanding however that only the Coalition had access to artillery in the near region at that time. On October 1st, Boukamlna reported that “Nuri Rifai Al Ali Al Dagher died in Damascus yesterday [Sept 30th] from…

Summary

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