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

27 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1786

Location

السوسة, Outskirts of Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported the death of two or four civilians after missiles struck aid vehicles near the town of Al Soussa. According to Smart News, Coalition raids struck “three trucks loaded with food”, killing four civilians. The media outlet noted that the four came from “Salba and Mkeymen the eastern suburb of Hama in the…

Summary

Published
27 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1784

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that alleged Coalition airstrikes hit the village of al Sha’afa, either killing two civilians or injuring “several”. According to Al Haal shelling by the “International Air Force […] focused on the side of the river” and resulted in “several civilians injured, in addition to material damage.” Step News also identified the US-led…

Summary

Published
26 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1783

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources three to four civilians were killed by artillery or airstrikes, injuring up to 18 others near the sheep market of al Soussa. Al Soussa Youth reported “a very violent bombardment of rocket launchers” on the sheep market and nearby houses. According to the report, “more than ten missiles” resulted in large…

Summary

Published
24 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
2–18
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1782

Location

بين بلدة السوسة والظهرة في البادية, Al Soussa/al Dahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that up to thirty civilians were killed and injured when Coalition airstrikes allegedly targeted several locations between al Soussa and al Dahra. Most sources stated that the civilians were struck when they were trying to escape the village of al Soussa and move towards the al Dahra area in al Badia, rural…

Summary

Published
21 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
24–30
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1780

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to thirteen civilians were allegedly killed when Coalition aircraft struck two or more houses in al Soussa, local sources reported. In September 2019, the Coalition's monthly civilian casualty report noted: "In Deir ez-Zor, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh explosive factory. Regrettably, two civilians were unintentionally killed as a…

Summary

Published
16 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–13
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1781

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ten or thirteen civilians, including women and children, were killed when the village of al Baghouz was targeted by alleged Coalition airstrikes, two local sources said. According to Sound and Picture, Coalition aircraft targeted a “civilian gathering” on the morning of July 16th and reported an initial toll of “10 martyrs from one family, mostly…

Summary

Published
16 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
10–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident