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

12 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1779

Location

السوسة و الباغوز, Ice factory, between Al Soussa and al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that between 28 and 58 civilians were killed and up to 45 injured as a result of alleged Coalition or associated Iraqi strikes on an “ice factory” in the Deir Ezzor countryside. According to a correspondent for Step News, Coalition aircraft “launched five successive air strikes”, hitting an ice processing plant called…

Summary

Published
12 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
28–58
Civilians reported injured
25–45
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1778

Location

تل الشاير, Road near Tal al Shayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources said that three brothers from the same family - reportedly civilians - were killed and one other was injured in a Coalition airstrike near the town of Tal al Shayer. Most sources stated that the three “martyrs” were all from the same family and in a “civilian car” when they were targeted. Many…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2018

Incident Code

CS1777

Location

السراجية, Al Sarajiya, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to local sources, a civilian identified as Sayed Khader Mohammed was killed in an artillery bombardment on the village of al Sarajiya. Three sources, apparent carbon copies of each other, reported that a civilian was killed “as a result of artillery bombardment”, but did not identify a culprit. Samidon Press stated that the individual…

Summary

Published
1 July 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1776

Location

الصور, Al Sour desert in northern Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that a civilian man was killed in a Coalition airstrike in the Al Sour desert in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor. Baladi News stated that in addition to killing nine ISIS fighters, 'a shepherd who happened to be near them' was also killed in the raid. Among the fighters said…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1775

Location

سوح الجزر, Suh al Jozr in the northern Deir Ezzor Desert , Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian adult male was reported killed in a Coalition strike in a desert area of Deir Ezzor governorate, according to a single source. A tweet by Deir Ezzor 24 reported on the “Death of Fawaz Abtisheh Farhan from the village of # Mu’ijel after an air raid of the international coalition targeted his car…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1774

Location

الحصية, Al Sha'afa, Al Hassya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, up to eight civilians including four children and two women were killed in a Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Sha’afa. Most sources reported that 17 people were killed overall, including eight civilians and nine or more ISIS fighters. The Syrian Network for Human Rights added that four children and…

Summary

Published
21 June 2018
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
2–14
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident