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

8,220 – 13,294

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 2,984 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,904
likely injured
3,757
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,454

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 360 separate incidents of civilian harm.

402
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,182 – 29,761
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,220 – 13,294
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,538 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,391 – 2,815
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
434 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,870 – 12,564
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
778 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
696 – 1,083
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
233 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

18–19 March, 2019

Incident Code

CS1912

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As the SDF sought to take control of Al-Baghouz, the last ISIS territorial stronghold in Syria, local sources reported on what was referred to as a significant "massacre" in which between 160 and 300 civilians including 45 children were alleged killed by Coalition airstrikes according to local sources. However, Central Command has only admitted to killing…

Summary

Published
18 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–300
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1911

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that US-Coalition air-and artillery strikes resumed after 24-hours of calm and struck Al-Baghouz camp in the evening of March 17th. According to Syrian regime affiliated news outlet SANA, the Coalition shelled the camp and its surroundings. Step News added that the shelling was conducted by "French artillery and SDF militia" which targeted…

Summary

Published
17 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1910

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that several Coalition airstrikes struck Al Baghouz on March 16th. According to Step News Agency and Marsad Al Hasaka, the airstrikes struck the town, whereas government-affiliated news outlet SANA reported the airstrikes struck Al-Baghouz camp. Step News reported that clashes broke out between ISIS and "the militia" in the vicinity of the…

Summary

Published
16 March 2019
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15–21 March, 2019

Incident Code

CS1915

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al-Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that a family of five including three children were killed in alleged Coalition bombing in Al-Baghouz camp days several days before March 20th. The exact date they were killed remains unknown. Ahmad Abd Al Rzzaq said: "My cousin Louay Abdel Wahab Al-Hamad Al-Ibrahim Al-Abdullah and his wife Nadra Abdul Aziz Al Thabet…

Summary

Published
21 March 2019
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1909

Location

الباغوز, Al-Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
During intensive air raids, a farm in Al-Baghouz was struck by air- and artillery fire on the outskirts of Al-Baghouz town. Step News was the only source that reported over 20 civilians were killed in the strike. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed the Coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces while all other sources…

Summary

Published
14 March 2019
Civilians reported killed
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1908

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike struck Al-Baghouz camp on the night of March 13th. Sources reported varying numbers of civilian deaths. Several sources reported that up to 100 civilians were killed in the airstrike. One source, Christian Turner, tweeted that 20 civilians were killed. All sources reported that most of the victims…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
20–100
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident