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

31 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1758

Location

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported that up to twelve people from one family, including between two and four children and four women, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hadaj village. According to Amc-Sy, eight members of the Awwad al Latif family were killed and others wounded when their homes were struck on a Friday night.…

Summary

Published
31 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
8–12
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1755

Location

باغوز فوقاني, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that three civilians were killed after an air raid targeted the village of al Baghouz. Sound and Picture stated that the three civilians were killed after “air strikes from a combat aircraft coming from the Iraqi side” struck the village in the countryside of Abu Kamal. While the source was alone…

Summary

Published
28 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1754

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa: al Boubadran, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, two civilians were killed and two civilians were injured in a declared Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Soussa on May 27, 2018. Euphrates Post, Lawhat Bukmalna and Deir Ezzor 24 reported that Issa Mohammed al-Debs, an Abu Kamal local, was killed by an air raid on the Boubdran district…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1753a

Location

هجين, Near Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Self-reporting by the US-led Coalition identified four civilians killed in a strike in the vicinity of Hajin in Deir Ezzor. Local reports at the time made no reference to civilian harm. According to a Coalition report issued September 27th 2018, “May 23, 2018, near Hajin, Syria, via self-report. During a strike four civilians were unintentionally…

Summary

Published
23 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1753

Location

هجين/الشعفة, Hajin or al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A local monitor reported that a number of civilians were injured after the towns of Hajin and al Sha’afa were shelled on May 20th. According to Sound and Vision, the “continuous bombardment by French artillery aimed at the city of Hajin and the town of al Sha’afa” harmed non-combatant civilians. The report however failed to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1752

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Filasteen neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians were killed and up to 14 injured following air or artillery strikes on the Filasteen neighbourhood of al Soussa, with the Coalition believed by sources to be responsible. A resident of Abu Kamal told Al Haal that Coalition aircraft had targeted the village with more than five raids – with one of them…

Summary

Published
16 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident