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

30 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1801a

Location

Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Al Sousah. In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted the following: " Coalition aircraft engaged multiple ISIS vehicles, including a machine-gun equipped pick-up truck engaging friendly forces with machine gun fire. The ISIS…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1800

Location

الباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported the death of an adult civilian male, Hussein al-Humeidahin al Bagouz. There was however a discrepancy in the reports. While some local sources attributed the civilian’s death to (SDF) artillery shelling, one source claimed that he was killed by a sniper. Euphrates Post reported for example the “martyrdom of Hussein al-Humeidah after…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1799

Location

الباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
It was claimed by a single source that the US-led Coalition had killed and wounded an unspecified number of civilians in Al Bagouz Fawqani. Step News Agency reported: “The International Alliance aircraft targeted the town of Al-Bagouz Foqani and the outskirts of the town of Al-Shifa in the eastern suburb of Deir Al-Azur in several…

Summary

Published
16 September 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1797

Location

الباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported a “massacre against civilians” after air and artillery strikes in the area of Sheikh Hamad in the town of Al Bagouz Fawqani. A hospital was also reported damaged or destroyed in the action. Orient News reported “a large number of dead and wounded […] as a result of artillery and rocket fire and…

Summary

Published
13 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–6
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 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1798

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported dead and wounded civilians after “artillery and missile shelling” on the outskirts of Al Soussa. Step News Agency reported in full: “Dead and wounded civilians by artillery and and a rocket attack by the Syrian Democratic Forces on the outskirts of the town of Soussa countryside # Deir al-Azur East.” However the…

Summary

Published
13 September 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1796

Location

الباغوزالباغوز, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that one or more civilians were killed and injured in a bombardment on Al Bagouz. One victim was specifically named. Deir Ezzor 24 and the Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that a named adult civilian male Najem Hassan al-Saleem was killed by ‘SDF artillery shelling’ on the village. It is important to…

Summary

Published
12 September 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