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 February 2018

Incident Code

CI875

Location

المخيسة, Al Mikhisa village, Diyala, Iraq
There were reports that two civilians were killed and two injured by airstrikes in Al Mikhisa village, east of the Abu Sayda district. Local sources told Airwars that two of the deceased civilians may have been farmers. All reports mentioned that airstrikes targeted the “orchards” or “the farms” in the village. None however provided any…

Summary

Published
7 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1723

Location

Al Sabah Farm, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of a possible civilian harm incident that was previously unknown to Airwars. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “February 7, 2018, near al-Sabah Farm, Deir Ez Zor, Syria, via self-report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5–6 February, 2018

Incident Code

CS1722

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that between 17 and 59 civilians were killed in the village of Al Sha’afa. According to a tweet by @syrians, most of the casualties were women and children. The US military has admitted to killing two civilians in the attack. Radio al Kul and Free Deir Ezzor both stated specifically that 17…

Summary

Published
5 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
17–59
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3–4 February, 2018

Incident Code

CS1721

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Multiple local sources reported up to 40 civilians killed, including up to 20 named children and at least 13 women, and “dozens” wounded in a major casualty event in Al Bahra on February 4th. All sources identify the Coalition as the culprit or – as with the Enabbaladi local report – specifically mentioned “indiscriminate US…

Summary

Published
4 February 2018
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
38–40
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2018

Incident Code

CS1720

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Multiple sources reported the death of eleven civilians and seven or more wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahra village, northwest of the town of Hajin. A tweet from @BassamJaara was the only source with an estimated tally of more than 30 casualties, claiming that: “More than 30 people, mostly children and women,…

Summary

Published
2 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
11–30
Civilians reported injured
7–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1719

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahra village, according to multiple local sources. Al Manar News, for example, reported that “three civilians were killed after the bombing of International Alliance aircraft on the village of Al-Bahra in the south-east of Deir Ez-Zour.” ISIS released a video on January 30th…

Summary

Published
30 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident