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

4 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1665a

Location

الكواشية, Al Kwashiya, Al Hassakah, Syria
Local sources reported that Coalition warplanes shelled areas in the vicinity of Al-Kwaishia village in the southern countryside of Hasaka. According to a single source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a child was killed. Other sources reported that a child named Omar Thamer al - Shibli was injured. @ShMC99 claimed that two children were…

Summary

Published
4 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 November 2017

Incident Code

CS1665

Location

البصيرة, Al Busayra or Al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six named civilians including one woman died in an airstrike on al Basira, local media said. Marsad al Hassaka reported the death of “Mohammad Manadi al Sha’aran known as Baj’eeb“. The source said that he died “in front of the Grand Mosque in Al-Basira, as a result of the air raids”. In a second report,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1658 RS2669

Location

السكرية, Al Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians – two women and two girls – died in an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of al Sukkariya, local media reported. It was unclear who was responsible, though one source attributed the event to Russia. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “four citizen women including two girls were killed as a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1659 RS2670

Location

السيال, Al Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Several civilians – including a woman and a child – reportedly died in an airstrike on al Sayyal, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia. Al Hall pointed towards the Coalition, putting the death toll at two with nine more…

Summary

Published
2 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1660 RS2671

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 23 civilians, reportedly including two families, died and “a large number” more were injured in airstrikes on al Salhiya in Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime. Euphrates Post reported “21 martyrs and…

Summary

Published
2 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–23
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1661 RS2672

Location

هجين, Hajeen - al Zir area, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One man died and his child was wounded in a casualty event in the al Zir area in Hajeen town, local media reported – though it was unclear whether the casualties were caused by an airstrike or a rocket. Additionally, sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or…

Summary

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