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

14 September 2016

Incident Code

CS311

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya [exact location], Deir Ezzor, Syria
Heavy airstrikes were reported, with Step News noting that “Coalition planes bombed al Salhiya near al Bukamal, targeting a bridge that links the area of al Duweir with other areas of Deir Ezzor. They also targeted al Ashayer village east of Deir Ezzor.” No mention was made of casualties. Beloved Al Salhiya also posted a…

Summary

Published
14 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2016

Incident Code

CS312

Location

معيزيلة, M’eizileh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and four civilians including a child died when a water tanker was struck in Coalition strikes at M’eizileh, according to multiple reports. VDC named two of the victims who it said died as a result of warplane shelling by international forces. The reported fatalities may have been confused with reports at nearby al…

Summary

Published
14 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 September 2016

Incident Code

CS310

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a civilian vehicle near Shadadah. According to the Syrian Observatory, “A man and a woman [were] killed by coalition airstrikes in Shadadi countryside.” Al Jisr TV reported “martrys and wounded following the targeting by Coalition planes of a car carrying them south of the…

Summary

Published
13 September 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 September 2016

Incident Code

CS309

Location

الشدادي, Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
In a previously unknown civilian casualty incident, CENTCOM reported on September 13th that civilians may have been killed or injured after a non-ISIL vehicle strayed into a strike kill box. “On Sep. 12, near Ash Shaddadah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target…

Summary

Published
12 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

CS307

Location

المزيونة, Mazyoneh, Aleppo, Syria
The VDC listed a 33 year old civilian male as a victim of alleged coalition warplane shelling. His name was given as Taha al Afara. According to Manbij Mother of all the World, Tahal al Afara was killed and “his two brothers Khalaf and Hassan wounded in a coalition strike on his brother’s home in…

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

CS308

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Five to six civilians died when a Coalition drone strike targeted a car allegedly belonging to members of Deash in the al Jameli neighborhood of Raqqa, according to local sources. CENTCOM later conceded that “near Ar Raqqah, Syria, during a strike against an ISIL target, it is assessed that five civilians were killed.” The Syrian…

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident