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

16 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1773

Location

تل الجاير, Tal al Jair, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to Marsad al Hassaka and An Eye on al Hassaka, two young men were killed and three others were injured (two severely) in a mortar shelling on the village of Tal al Jair by “Kurdish units”. According to both sources, all five civilians harmed were from the same family. It is important to note…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1772

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians, including women and children, were allegedly killed and several others injured by a Coalition airstrike on Al Soussa. Sound and Picture reported “three martyrs” and several wounded. Smart News quoted local activists who also mentioned a tally of three civilians killed after a Coalition raid targeted the “residential neighbourhoods in the town of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1768

Location

الحردان, Al Hardan village (al Shayer hill), Al Hassakah, Syria
Two to four civilians were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of al Hardoun. Marsad al Hassaka stated that the house of Mohammed Ahmed Hardan was targeted at “dawn today”, where he was killed with his three children while his wife was seriously injured. Zaman al Wasl quoted a local activist who…

Summary

Published
13 June 2018
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1769

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, up to four civilians, including women and children, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Baghouz Foqani. Step News Agency reported that two women and one girl were killed and another person injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights however stated that in fact two children and one woman…

Summary

Published
13 June 2018
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
6–13
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1770

Location

الباغوز تحتاني, Al Baghouz Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that alleged Coalition raids on Al Baghouz Tahtani resulted in civilian harm. Al Haall quoted an Abu Kamal local, who stated that two raids targeted the village, resulting in “several civilians wounded, and damage to property as well." No additional details are presently known - and in October 2018 the US-led…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 June 2018

Incident Code

CS1771

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One or more civilians were reported killed and injured after artillery shelling on the village of al Soussa. Sound and Picture reported the “martyrdom of a civilian” in the village of Soussa as a result of French artillery shelling. Shaam News only made mention of “a number of civilians” wounded and stated that this was…

Summary

Published
13 June 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident