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

28 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1703

Location

تل الذهب, Tal Al Thahab or Tal Al Shayr, Al Hassakah, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Coalition strike on Tal Al Thahab or Tal Al Shayr, near the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to local sources on the ground. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “three civilians from the same family, including a child and a woman, were killed as International Coalition warplanes fired missiles…

Summary

Published
28 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 December 2017

Incident Codes

CS1702 RS2811

Location

غرانيج, Granij, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ten named civilians died and “a large number more” were injured in an alleged airstrike on Granij, according to local media. One sources blamed Russia, while the rest attributed blame to the US-led Coalition. According to Deir Ezzor 24, six non-combatants died when the Coalition “attacked the house of Elias Khader Al-Abdullah in the Al-Samra…

Summary

Published
25 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1701a

Location

near Kharayij, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of three civilians in an event near near Kharayij, Syria. In its May 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted "Coalition aircraft conducted strikes on a Daesh weapons storage facility and Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, three civilians were unintentionally killed due to…

Summary

Published
24 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1700

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and four civilians died and several others were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajeen, according to local media. Sources said that the strike hit the car which the victims were in. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at two, though most other sources said that three died.…

Summary

Published
22 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1701

Location

هجين, Hajeen, 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 22, 2017, near Hajin, 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
22 December 2017
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1699

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three named civilians died and others were wounded in Hajeen, according to local media. It is unclear whether the Coalition or the regime were responsible for the deaths. It said they had died “as a result of military air strikes believed to belong to the International Alliance this afternoon which targeted the market at Hajeen…

Summary

Published
14 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident