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

2 March 2018

Incident Code

S1537a

Location

الشعفة, al-Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Deaths and injuries were reported when the US-led Coalition allegedly struck a field hospital in Al-Shaf'a in Deir Ezzor on March 2nd, 2018. The hospital attacked was named by local sources as Nabd Al-Hayat. Syriamap reported "Airstrikes by the International Coalition to Defeat ISIS put the hospital completely out of service leading to several deaths…

Summary

Published
2 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 March 2018

Incident Code

CS1733a

Location

Near al Shaafah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an event previously untracked by Airwars, the Coalition reported in its monthly civilian casualty report for September 2019 (published November 16th) that it had killed a civilian during an airstrike at Al Shaafah. The Pentagon later declared this to be a US action. According to the OIR report, "March 1, 2018, near Al Shafah,…

Summary

Published
1 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

28 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1732

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa: Al-Kashma district, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 10 and 30 civilians were reported killed and “dozens” injured in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Sha’afa. Most sources stressed that many of the victims were women and children. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had documented the deaths of 22 civilians, including 9 children and 7 women and stressed that…

Summary

Published
28 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
10–30
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1733

Location

الصفاوي, Al Safawi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Multiple sources stated that three or six civilians, including a seven-year-old child, were killed in an airstrike on a vehicle in the town of Al Safawi in the countryside of southern Al Hasakah on February 28th. Most local sources reported that the victims all came from the same family and were killed when driving in…

Summary

Published
28 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1731

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha’fah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously untracked by Airwars monitors, in May 2018 the Coalition said that it had assessed a self-report of potential civilian harm at al Shafaa - though had concluded there were no non combatant casualties. As the official report noted, "February 26, 2018, near al Sha’fah, Syria, via self-report. After a review of…

Summary

Published
26 February 2018
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1730

Location

ظهرة العلواني, Zahret Al Alwni, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that 10 to 25 civilians had been killed and dozens wounded as a result of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Zahret Al Alwni – an IDP camp located between Al Sousse and Al Sha’afa. Most sources reported that 16 non combatants had died. According to most reports, the victims of the airstrike…

Summary

Published
25 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–25
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident