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

7 November 2014

Incident Code

CS021

Location

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilian men were reported by a single source to have been killed in a coalition strike on the city of Dayr az Zawr. They were named by the VDC.  

Summary

Published
7 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 November 2014

Incident Code

CS022

Location

سعلو, Sillu, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two non-combatant males were reported killed in a coalition airstrike on the village of Sa’alo.

Summary

Published
7 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 November 2014

Incident Code

CS023

Location

near At-Tanak Oilfield, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In its January 25th 2018 civilian casualty report, the Coalition reported that a civilian casualties allegation near At-Tanak is currently being assessed: “#1 Nov. 7, 2014 near At-Tanak Oilfield, Syria via regional human rights organization report.” Further research by our Syria team indicated that this incident was in fact previously known to Airwars, but had…

Summary

Published
7 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2014

Incident Code

CS019

Location

حارم, Harim, Idlib, Syria
Six months after US air raids had targeted the Khorasan Group (part of the al-Nusra Front) and the militant group Ahrar al-Sham, the Coalition conceded that two children had “likely” died in the attack – the first public concession of any civilian deaths after 4,000 airstrikes against ISIS over nine months. The November 5th US-only…

Summary

Published
6 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2014

Incident Code

CS020

Location

موقة, Muqah, Idlib, Syria
The Syrian Martyrs website claimed that up to four unnamed children under the age of 10 died in a coalition airstrike on Mouka – described as one girl and two or three boys. In contrast, the VDC lists three unidentified bodies (two adult males and one female child) noting that they were “Martyred due to…

Summary

Published
6 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2014

Incident Code

CS018

Location

دير الزور‎, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An internal Coalition report noted that “Open source video indicated that three civilians were killed in a deliberate strike on an oil collection point in DeZ.” Airwars researchers have identified what they believe to be the [graphic] video in question, which was posted to YouTube on November 11th 2014. The Coalition was unable to verify…

Summary

Published
5 November 2014
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident