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

27 January 2018

Incident Code

CI874a

Location

البغدادي, Al Baghdadi, Al Anbar, Iraq
Eight people including a woman and six police officers were reported killed and 20 others including two women severely injured in an alleged US-led Coalition strike on Al Baghdadi, west of Anbar province on January 27th, 2018, according to multiple local sources. Reports said that the strike "mistakenly struck a gathering of local security forces",…

Summary

Published
27 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
11–20
Military actors reported killed
5–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1718

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Thirty civilians allegedly died in Coalition airstrikes on Al Bahra village in the Deir Ezzor countryside, according to local sources. The original source for these claims appeared to be ISIS. @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH and other sources said that there were “more than 30 martyrs, most of them women and children, and injured civilians, in US air strikes…

Summary

Published
26 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
30
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1717

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three women died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the village of Hajeen, according to local media. The three victims were named by Deir Ezzor 24 as Mansya Samir Al-Aswad; the wife of Eid Mansy Al Aswad; and the wife of Ali Mansy Al Aswad Some reports appear to have…

Summary

Published
24 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1716

Location

الشعفة, Al Sha'afa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 15 civilian including as many as seven women died in an alleged Coalition airstrike at a hospital in al Sha’afa, according to local media. Free Deir Ezzor put the death toll at 14 including seven women. It published photographs of ruins of “the hospital targeted by the Coalition”. According to the Syrian Network…

Summary

Published
23 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
4–15
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1715a

Location

البحرة, Barah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian in an event near Barah. The UK later confirmed this was an RAF strike. In its February 2019 report, the Coalition noted: "Coalition aircraft engaged an ISIS fighter operating a motorcycle. Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally killed as…

Summary

Published
20 January 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

20 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1715b

Location

near al-Khashmah, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the deaths of four civilians in an event near al-Khashmah. In its April 2019 monthly civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: "Coalition aircraft conducted multiple engagements against Daesh forces. Regrettably, four civilians were unintentionally killed due to their proximity to the targets." The…

Summary

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