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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

20–26 January, 2022

Incident Code

CS1976

Location

سجن الصناعة, Al Sina'a Prison, Al Hassakah, Syria
Between January 20th and January 26th 2022, Islamic State militants (ISIS) attempted to take control of Al-Sina'a prison in Gweran neighbourhood in Al-Hasakah, Syria. The prison, managed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), by some reports held between 3000 to 5000 individuals associated with ISIS, including “hundreds” of so-called ‘Cubs of the Caliphate’ - the…

Summary

Published
20 January 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Civilians reported injured
1–10
Military actors reported killed
24–374
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2022

Incident Code

CS1975

Location

الحوايج, Al Hawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to two men were killed in an alleged Coalition and declared Syrian Democratic Forces' airdrop operation on the village of Al-Hawaij on January 17/18, 2022. One of the men was identified as being a member of ISIS. Euphrates Post reported that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with helicopter support from the Coalition carried out…

Summary

Published
18 January 2022
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, YPG
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2021

Incident Code

CS1974

Location

ابريهة, Abirha near Al Busaira, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Professor Khalaf Al Wahhab, a school teacher, and his two sons, Hamza Al Wahhab and Muhammad Al Wahhab, from the village of Abreha, were killed during a US-led Coalition airdrop or landing operation, with the Syrian Democratic Forces, in the village of Abirha, near Al Busaira in Deir Ezzor on December 12th 2021. In total,…

Summary

Published
12 December 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 December 2021

Incident Code

CS1973

Location

المسطومة, Al-Mastouma, Idlib, Syria
At least one young man was killed and between six and seven civilians, including up to four children, were injured in a declared US drone strike on the Al-Mastouma Ariha road on December 3rd, 2021. Sources are conflicted as to whether the young man killed was an active or former member of the Guardians of…

Summary

Published
3 December 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
6–7
Military actors reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 November 2021

Incident Code

CS1972

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two people, according to local sources, identified as Saber Sinjar Al-Fahd and Sami Dilis Al-Aoun, were killed allegedly by US-led Coalition and Kurdish SDF forces during an airstrike on an ISIS "sleeper cell" or the house of a former member of the oppostion factions in the city of Hajin, east of Deir Ezzor, Syria, on…

Summary

Published
30 November 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2021

Incident Code

CS1971

Location

فنيجين, Fenijin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least one man was killed, another person was injured, and four people were arrested in an alleged Coalition airstrike and Syrian Democratic Forces ground operation in Fenijin on November 8, 2021. The status of the man killed and the person injured as a civilian is contested by local sources. Zaman Al Wasl quoted local…

Summary

Published
8 November 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident