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

15 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1751a

Location

السوسة, near As Susah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of four civilians near As Susah. In its July 2018 report, the Coalition noted: "During a strike on Daesh IED facility, four civilians were unintentionally killed". The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 May 2018

Incident Code

CI877

Location

السفينة و حويجة, Mashraq village, Nineveh, Iraq
According to local reports, airstrikes targeted villages south of Mosul on the morning of May 14th and resulted in considerable damage – and injured between two and five civilians. The Coalition later conceded injuring 13 civilians in the event. Yaqein quoted a local source that stated that “An aircraft believed to be an American fired…

Summary

Published
14 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1751

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to a single source, several civilians were wounded as a result of Iraqi and Coalition air or artillery strikes on the village of Al Baghouz on May 15th. Multiple sources stated that the Syrian Defence Forces (SDF), supported by the International Coalition and in coordination with Iraqi forces, took control of the town of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1750

Location

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported that up to ten civilians were killed, including five women and four children, in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hadaj. A tweet by @NDhoms1 was the only source stating that “10 civilians, including 8 women and children” died. All other sources specifically mentioned the death of “five women and…

Summary

Published
12 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1749

Location

الحمادي, Al Hammadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Coalition raids on the village of al Hammadi resulted in the deaths of up to eight civilians, including three children and five women. The US-led alliance later accepted responsibility for at least four deaths. The village in the area of Abu Hamda is located close to the Iraqi-Syrian border and according to Al Khabour, is…

Summary

Published
11 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1748

Location

الباغوز, Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, 12 civilians including 3 women were killed and either 'several' or 'dozens' wounded by an airstrike on the town of Baghouz. All reports identified the Coalition as the culprit. A local source told Smart News that jets had targeted the village under the control of so-called Islamic State – but did…

Summary

Published
10 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident