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

10 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1748a

Location

Khatuniya, Al Hassakah, Syria
In an incident previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Khatuniya. The Pentagon later reported this to have been a US action. According to CJTFOIR's June 2019 civilian casualty report: "Coalition forces engaged in a small arms fire event. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed…

Summary

Published
10 May 2018
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2018

Incident Code

CS1747

Location

القصر, Al Qasr village, Al Hassakah, Syria
According to local sources, at least 13 and up to 30 civilians were killed and “tens of others” were injured in airstrikes on al Qasr village, also known as al Fadel, near the Syrian-Iraqi border in the Tal al Jayer area of al Hassaka governorate. Reports identified both the Coalition and the Iraqi air force…

Summary

Published
1 May 2018
Civilians reported killed
24–30
Civilians reported injured
10–20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2018

Incident Code

CS1746

Location

سوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that two civilians were killed as a result of 'SDF shelling' on the town of Al Soussa at night. A number of sources identified the two casualties as Mohammed Khashan Al-Najem Dagger and Alia Mohammed Hilal who, according to a tweet by Deir Ezzor 24, were hit by “missile shelling” from SDF forces stationed at “the…

Summary

Published
19 April 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2018

Incident Code

CS1644

Location

حارة البدو, Al Badou neighbourhood, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that two civilians were killed as a result of SDF shelling on the town of Al Soussa at night. A number of sources identified the two casualties who, according to a tweet by Deir Ezzor 24, were hit by “missile shelling” from SDF forces stationed at “the Omar oil field”. A tweet…

Summary

Published
19 April 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 April 2018

Incident Code

CS1745

Location

Al Sarajiya village near Abu Hamda, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported on the deaths of up to eleven civilians as a result of strikes carried out by Coalition helicopters in an area east of the city of Al Shadadi. According to Euphrates Post “a massacre” took place after a bombardment on a prison in the town of Abu Hamda. The report put the…

Summary

Published
17 April 2018
Civilians reported killed
3–11
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 April 2018

Incident Code

CS1744

Location

العاليات, Al A’liat village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to two sources, three civilians were killed in an airstrike on the village of Al-A’liat in the Soussa district of Deir Ezzor governorate on April 14th. Smart News and Fresh Online reported that an ISIS HQ in the village of Al A’liat near al Soussa was targeted by the Coalition. A local source told…

Summary

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