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

1 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1656 RS2665

Location

السيال, Abu Kamal, Al Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between three and six civilians died in an airstrike on the home of Mohammed al-Shabib Abu Jassim, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, the Iraqi air force, Syrian regime or Russia were to blame. According to Eldorar, “The sources said that in conjunction with the artillery…

Summary

Published
1 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
18
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1657 RS2666

Location

البصيرة, Al Busayrah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two named civilians died and up to 23 others were wounded in an airstrike on al Busayrah according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. Baladi, Jisr TV and Sharqiya Voice all blamed the Coalition. Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of the young…

Summary

Published
1 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4–23
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 November 2017

Incident Code

CI874

Location

القائم, Al Qaim, Central, Al Anbar, Iraq
It was reported that raids carried out on Al Qaim had resulted in the deaths of at least 45 civilians and had left dozens of people injured. The US-led Coalition later conceded one civilian death in the event. Both Omar Al Halbusi and the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq blamed the Coalition, with the…

Summary

Published
1 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
45–50
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 October 2017

Incident Code

CI873

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz (near al-Qaiem, Iraq), Nineveh, Iraq
In an incident not previously tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later announced the injuries of two civilians in an event near al Qaim. Their June 2018 civilian casualty report noted: "During a strike destroyed Daesh headquarters, two civilians were unintentionally injured." The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a…

Summary

Published
31 October 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1652 RS2662

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A family of up to six civilians died in airstrikes on Al Soussa town, according to local media. While most sources said that Russia was to blame, two alleged that the Coalition was responsible. One other source pointed towards the Syrian regime. The majority of sources (Al Latamna Youth Gathering, Al Jisr, Baladi, Eldorar, Step…

Summary

Published
30 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 October 2017

Incident Code

CS1651

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to Sharqiya Voice, “military aircraft launched several air raids on the city of Hajeen in eastern rural Deir Ezzor. The bombing focused on a number of civilian homes and the vicinity of the public market; there was news of the death of a woman and the wounding of others”. The Syrian Observatory for Human…

Summary

Published
29 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–22
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident