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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

22 November 2022

Incident Code

CS1988

Location

الزر, Al Zar, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A young man was either injured or killed during a raid allegedly carried out by the Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces in the village of al-Zar the evening/morning of November 22, 2022. According to @euphratspost, a young man named Ahmed Hussein Ali al-Qubbah was severely injured and a 13 year old named Ahmad Mahmoud al-Hilu…

Summary

Published
22 November 2022
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2022

Incident Code

CS1987

Location

جديد بكارة, Jedid Bakara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One young man was killed when he was run over by a vehicle allegedly belonging to the Coalition in the village of Jedid Bakara on November 14, 2022. Euphrates Post reported that a young man named Salam Hussein Al-Arif was killed when he was run over by a vehicle belonging to the Coalition. Multiple other…

Summary

Published
14 November 2022
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2022

Incident Code

CS1986

Location

رويشد, Ruwaished, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A young man was killed during an airdrop operation allegedly carried out by the Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces in the village of Al Ruwaished on November 3, 2022. Euphrates Post reported that a young man named Muhannad Ibrahim al-Khalaf was killed during a raid carried out by the SDF at dawn in the village of…

Summary

Published
3 November 2022
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

28 October 2022

Incident Code

CS1985

Location

ذيبان, Thiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A woman was killed and two others, including a minor, were injured in an alleged airdrop operation carried out by the Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Hawija neighborhood of Thiban town, east of Deir Ezzor, on October 28, 2022. Nahr Media reported that a woman named Nadia Mustafa al-Ali was killed and…

Summary

Published
28 October 2022
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2022

Incident Code

CS1984

Location

جرابلس, Jarabulus, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Syrian Democratic Forces shelling and/or a declared US airstrike near the banks of the Euphrates River in the city of Jarabulus on October 6, 2022. However, one local source said that 15 people were injured in the incident. Two accused ISIS members were also killed in a…

Summary

Published
6 October 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, YPG
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2022

Incident Code

CS1983

Location

قرية البيدر, Al Baydar in Al Karama village, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians, a man and his minor son, were killed and another man, who is alleged to be a civilian or a member of ISIS, was injured during an airdrop operation carried out by the Coalition and the SDF in the village of Al Baydar on September 20, 2022. According to the Euphrates Post, Muhammad…

Summary

Published
20 September 2022
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident