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 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1670 RS2712

Location

Al Shafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
It was locally reported that the following six civilians died in an airstrike on Al-Sha’afa water crossing. Most sources didn’t say who was responsible, referring to ‘raids’ and ‘bombing by aircraft.’. However, Khafafeesh al Zalam reported that Russia carried out raids on a nearby town on November 11th, killing two civilians.

Summary

Published
10 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1668 RS2705

Location

حريزة, Harizah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to seven civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Harizah, local media said – though they were unclear whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame. The US-led alliance reported no strikes in Syria that day. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “six civilians died in a bombing on the…

Summary

Published
8 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1669 RS2706

Location

Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians including one woman died in an airstrike on Abu Kamal, according to local media. Sources mostly attributed the blame to the Coalition, however most reports published during from this period reported Russian and Syrian regime raids. The Centcom Daily Summary reported there were no Coalition strikes in Syrian or Iraq on November 8th…

Summary

Published
8 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1667

Location

بريحة, Abriha/Braiha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes, whether they belong to the international coalition or not is not known, shelled areas in Abriha village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, and Daman village in the eastern and north eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, leaving a man killed in Abriha village and others…

Summary

Published
6 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1666a RS2687

Location

البوكمال, Abo Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed in Russian airstrikes according to local media, as well as a report by the Russian Ministry of Defence. However, one source reported "We do not know whether the bombing is Russian or Coalition". Many other sources blamed the International Coalition for the strikes. Some sources blamed Iraqi airstrikes,…

Summary

Published
5 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1666 RS2681

Location

الصبحة, Al Subha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians including two brothers died in airstrikes on al Subha, local media said – though it was unclear who was responsible. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the US-led Coalition. According to Al Sharq News “intense” raids by the Coalition were occurring in the area. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
5 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident