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

13 April 2018

Incident Code

CS1742

Location

Damascus, Damascus, Syria
According to a single source, four civilians were killed in US-led bombardments on Al Barzah Scientific Research Facility in Damascus. The strikes - confirmed as carried out by US, British and French aircraft - were not mentioned in the Coalition strike report for the week, indicating that these may have been unilateral actions. Al Sura…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 April 2018

Incident Code

CS1743

Location

Him Shanshar military installation, Homs, Syria
Three civilians were credibly reported injured as a result of British strikes on a military compound West of the city of Homs “in the early hours of Saturday”. The United States, France and the US declared that they had participated in the strikes in Damascus and Homs. In its own regular strike reports the Coalition…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 April 2018

Incident Code

CS1741

Location

تل الجاير, Tal al Jayer area, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported the death of a male civilian as a result of an alleged Coalition military action in the vicinity of Tal al Jayer, east of the city of Shaddadi in the southern countryside of Hasakah governorate. An Al-Khabour correspondent stated that helicopters engaged in a “landing operation” near the Al Sheikh fuel station,…

Summary

Published
9 April 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 April 2018

Incident Code

CI876

Location

Al Qanus Island, Qayarrah, Nineveh, Iraq
In an event not tracked by Airwars at the time, in July 2018 the Coalition self-reported that it had accidentally killed one civilian and injured a second in an action near Qayarrah. According to the report, “April 2, 2018, near al-Qanus Island, Qayyarah, Iraq, via self-report. During a strike one civilian was unintentionally injured and…

Summary

Published
2 April 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 March 2018

Incident Code

CS1740

Location

البوكمال, Near Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a previously unknown event, the UK for the first time admitted that its forces caused civilian harm during an airstrike against so-called Islamic State. In a written statement to Parliament on May 2nd, UK Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson MP stated that “one civilian was unintentionally killed,” when a UK Reaper drone…

Summary

Published
26 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 March 2018

Incident Codes

CS1739a TS282a

Location

تل حميس, Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli, Al Hassakah, Syria
Multiple sources reported that Turkey carried out airstrikes on SDF positions in Tal Hamees, South of al Qamishli. However, other outlets also stated that this was not the case and that the US-led Coalition conducted strikes on homes which reportedly held family members of ISIS. However, no casualty estimates were given. The Shaam News Network,…

Summary

Published
18 March 2018
Military Actor
Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident