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

13 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1697a

Location

هجين, near Hajin, Syria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian near Hajin. In its March 2018 report, the Coalition noted: "During a coalition strike which killed a known high-level ISIS member a civilian scooter inadvertently crossed into the strike area and it is assessed that one civilian was…

Summary

Published
13 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 December 2017

Incident Codes

CS1696 RS2796

Location

الجردي الشرقي, Al Jarthi al Sharqi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 33 named civilians including 16 children and six women died and at least 10 more were wounded in airstrikes on al Jarthi al Sharqi, according to local media. VDC-SY reported that the airstrike was conducted on the 12th of December, whereas our research shows it was in fact on the 13th of December.…

Summary

Published
13 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–33
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1697

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians died and nine others were wounded in artillery or air strikes on Hajeen, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Awwad Zayed Hussein al Zayed was killed by Syrian regime artillery shells”. The victim was also named by DE24…

Summary

Published
13 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1698

Location

Near al Shaafa village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to Eldorar, “sources pointed out that Coalition aircraft targeted a car carrying civilians on Wednesday, which resulted in the death of a number of them, including children and women. The international coalition aircraft had targeted the town of Al-Shaafa, yesterday evening, amid the movement of large-scale displacement of civilians towards neighboring villages.” Baladi produced…

Summary

Published
13 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2017

Incident Codes

CS1695 RS2792

Location

الجردي الغربي, Al Jarthi al Gharbi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male was named as killed in an airstrike on al Jarthi al Gharbi. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US-led Coalition, and others to Moscow. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Syrian regime warplanes for his death. But according to Al Haall, Russia was…

Summary

Published
12 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 December 2017

Incident Code

CS1694

Location

ابو حمام, Al Diyaf in Abu Hamam, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Euphrates Post reported “The martyrdom of Ali Hamoud al-Tarihah and the wounding of Saleh al-Badri as a result of air raids by the international coalition that targeted his home in the area of Al Diyaf in the town of Abu Hamam”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed the Coalition for the victim’s…

Summary

Published
10 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident