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

8 August 2018

Incident Code

CS1790

Location

البوبدران, Medical clinic in Al Bubadran area between Al Soussa and Al Sha'afa villages, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in alleged Coalition airstrikes on a medical clinic between Al Sousse and Al Shaafa, according to local media. The Step News Agency, Shaam News Network and Sound were among sources reporting that a medical clinic was struck, along with other sites, as the Coalition reportedly…

Summary

Published
8 August 2018
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 August 2018

Incident Code

CS1789

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Soussa, local media reported. The strike also reportedly killed an ISIS leader. According to the Step News Agency, “the International Coalition conducted a raid on the town of Soussa east of Deir al-Zour and there are reports of civilian casualties”. Zaman al Wasl reported that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2018

Incident Code

CS1788

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child was killed and her mother was wounded in an airstrike on Al Sousse, local media said. Most sources blamed the US-led Coalition, though there was one allegation against the regime. According to the Syrian National Movement, “a female child was killed and her mother was injured by the International Alliance shelling the town…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 August 2018

Incident Code

CS1787

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa (possibly east of village), Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians were injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike near the village of al Sha’afa, local sources reported. According to Sound and Picture, “vehicles carrying displaced civilians” were struck by Coalition aircraft, resulting in “a number of wounded”. This was reiterated by Marsad al Hassaka. The Al Sha’afa Facebook page was the only source that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2018

Incident Code

CS1786a

Location

near Ash Shajlah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later conceded the deaths of two civilians in an event near Ash Shajlah, Syria. The Pentagon later said this was a US action. In its May 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted "Coalition aircraft conducted a strike against a Daesh staging area. Regrettably, two…

Summary

Published
1 August 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1785

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Multiple sources reported that two brothers were killed by alleged Coalition strikes on al Soussa. Most local sources identified the two civilians as Saleh Khalif al-Hassan and Falih Khalif al-Hassan. Most sources also identified the Coalition as the culprit and noted that the airstrikes had struck the brothers’ house. Baladi News mentioned that other civilians…

Summary

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