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

5 September 2018

Incident Code

CS1795

Location

بادية ذبيان, Badiya area of Theyban city, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that two boys aged 16 and 17, “were killed by an aircraft believed to belong to the International Coalition.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights noted that the airstrike took place at  “Badiya [area] of Theyban city” in the suburbs of Deir Ezzor. Both Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor 24 named the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 August 2018

Incident Code

CS1794

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, the Smart News Agency, reported that “a child and a person were killed by an SDF artillery bombardment on the town of Sousse”. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that SDF artillery targeted al Soussa, “causing material damage” – though it said there was no information on civilian harm at…

Summary

Published
27 August 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 August 2018

Incident Code

CS1793

Location

Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 23 civilian non combatants - including 18 women who were reportedly the wives of ISIS fighters on external missions - died along with seven ISIS guards in an alleged Coalition airstrike on an ISIS-held house (and perhaps others) in al Sha’afa, according to sources on the ground. One source added that a child…

Summary

Published
26 August 2018
Civilians reported killed
18–20
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 August 2018

Incident Code

CS1792a

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of three civilians and the injuring of a fourth in an event near Hajin. In its November 2018 monthly report, the alliance noted the following: "On Aug. 25, 2018, near Hajin Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft struck a known ISIS safe…

Summary

Published
25 August 2018
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2018

Incident Code

CS1792

Location

الباغوز فوقاني, Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that an unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Al Bagouz by Iraqi warplanes. Sound and Picture, Step News Agency and @Bukamal_Live all reported that “a number of civilians were wounded” by Iraqi warplanes. It is important to note that by this stage of the conflict, that Iraqi air and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 August 2018

Incident Code

CS1791

Location

الباغوز فوقاني), Al Bagouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians died and several others were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Al Bagouz al Fawqani, according to local media. The Smart News Agency said: “Activists told Smart that the bombing killed four civilians and wounded others, including women and children, in addition to the killing of three members of ISIS. Some activists pointed…

Summary

Published
14 August 2018
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident