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

25 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1729

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local reports by Euphrates Post, alleged Coalition air raids targeted "a residential complex in district 24" of the town of Al Sha'afa. The sources stated that there were civilian casualties as a result, but did not specify a specific number. These sources were apparent carbon copies of each other. However, according to two Sana…

Summary

Published
25 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
2–29
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1727

Location

الشفعة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 8 and 25 civilians reportedly died and as many as “dozens” were injured as a result of a claimed Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Sha’afa. An Abu Kamal local later told Al-Hail that the bombardment had wounded “mostly women and children”. Orient News carried the most detailed report, noting that "Local sources…

Summary

Published
23 February 2018
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
8–25
Civilians reported injured
4–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1728

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to a single source, alleged Coalition strikes on the city of Hajin killed one civilian and injured seven others. The report from Al Hal News stated that in addition to damaging houses, the bombardment “led to the death of a young man and the wounding of seven others”. Although Airwars researchers did not identify…

Summary

Published
23 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

21 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1726

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Twelve civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin on February 21st. Sources reported that “several missiles” struck the town 50 kilometers northwest of Abu Kamal. Sana, the Syrian state media outlet, initially reported on the incident quoting local sources as confirming the death of 12 civilians - and stressing that the…

Summary

Published
21 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1725

Location

هجين, Hajin / Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 12 and 16 civilians, including 5 children and 6 women were allegedly killed and “dozens” wounded in a Coalition airstrike on the city of Hajin on February 19th. However some sources, like Deir Ezzor24, stated that the airstrike in fact took place in Al Bahra, a town near Hajin. According to the Syrian Network…

Summary

Published
19 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
12–16
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1724

Location

قرية البحرة, Al Bahra village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In its monthly casualty report of 30th August 2018, the Coalition conceded it had caused civilian harm in an event not previously tracked by Airwars. This was later identified as a likely French airstrike - thougfh Paris has refused to confirm or deny this. According to the official report, “February 9, 2018, near al-Bahrah village,…

Summary

Published
9 February 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