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

16 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1675

Location

درنج, Daranj, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Daranj, according to local media. Most sources attributed the event to the Coalition. However, one pointed towards the Assad regime and one blamed Russia. Deir Ezzor 24 and Step News Agency blamed the Coalition, with Step putting the civilian death toll…

Summary

Published
16 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1674

Location

الحوايج, Al Jawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians died in an airstrike on al Jawaij town, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame. Deir Ezzor noted “clashes between the forces of SDF and the organization [IS] in the town of Hawayj”. That suggested that any airstrikes may have been by the Coalition. Additionally, Smart News…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1673a RS2731

Location

جليب غانم, Jleib Ghanem area, Al Qouriya desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians including two children and a woman were killed and between seven and nine more were wounded in an alleged US Coalition or Russian airstrike on a camp for displaced persons in the Jleib Ghanem area, Al Qouriya desert, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though @basher_811 pointed to the Coalition,, reporting: …

Summary

Published
13 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
7–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1673

Location

الباغوز, Abu Kamal, al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians including a woman and her two children died in al Baghouz, according to local media – though it was unclear who was responsible for their deaths. Sharqiya Voice reported that one civilian died and others were wounded “as a result of artillery shells”, which the source reported were fired by the Iraqi army.…

Summary

Published
13 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1671

Location

الدعيج, Al Duaij, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to 15 civilians died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Duaij, according to local media. Al Khabour reported that “the international Coalition targeted a civilian car in the village of Al-Duaij in the town of Tal al-Jayr east of al-Shadadi, killing one civilian and wounding the others seriously.” Shaam News, Masar Press, Baladi…

Summary

Published
11 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–15
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1672

Location

رجم الصليبي, Rajim al Salibi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians including paramedics died and “many” more were wounded in an alleged Coalition airstrike which reportedly struck an ambulance in Rajim al Salibi, local media said. Sources said that the victims were killed as they attempted to help those who were wounded in incident S1471 (listed above) in Al Duaji. According to Al Khabour,…

Summary

Published
11 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident