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

10 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1712

Location

الحمدان, Al Hamdan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to Free Deir Ezzor, there were “a number of wounded in the village of Hamdan” following Coalition airstrikes. Both Al Bukamal Mutassil al Aan and Souriyati reported that seven civilians were wounded in al Hamdan and also pointed towards the Coalition. No additional details are presently known for this event.

Summary

Published
10 January 2018
Civilians reported injured
5–7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 January 2018

Incident Code

CS1708

Location

North east of Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition announced on March 28th 2018 that it had killed five civilians in an event “near Abu Kamal, Syria”. According to the official release, " During a Coalition strike which killed an ISIS leader, approximately 10 ISIS terrorists and destroyed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device within vicinity…

Summary

Published
9 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5–7 January, 2018

Incident Code

CS1707

Location

الجردي, Al Jarthi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On January 8th, Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of Khalid al-Turkawi, a displaced man from Homs governorate, from wounds he sustained as a result of a military air strike targeting his car during the attack on the town of al-Jarthi.” The victim was also named by Syrian Human Rights Committee which blamed “a military air…

Summary

Published
5 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1706

Location

السوسة, Sussah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 12 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Sussah, according to local media. Deir Ezzor 24 was one of many sources blaming the Coalition. It put the death toll at five. However, most other sources said that a dozen civilians died, with Eldorar adding that dozens more were injured. Baladi reported that…

Summary

Published
31 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1705

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On August 30th 2018, the Coalition said it had concluded an assessment of possible civilian harm. In the report, the Coalition wrote: “December 30, 2017, near al-Bahrah, Syria, via social media report. After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that there is insufficient evidence to find civilians were harmed in…

Summary

Published
30 December 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1704

Location

البحرة, Al Bahra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male, named as Karim Makhkhalf Al-Hamoud Al-Faraj, was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Bahra, according to local media. Euphrates Post, Sharqiya Voice and Deirezzor were among sources blaming the Coalition for the victim’s death. Euphrates Post for example noted “The martyrdom of Karim Mukhlif al-Hamoud al-Faraj from the city of…

Summary

Published
29 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident