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

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2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

11 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1907

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A number of ISIS family members were reportedly killed and injured, following air and artillery strikes on the Daesh stronghold, Al Baghouz camp. Sources blamed both the US-led Coalition and the SDF. Deir Ezzor 24 for example reported: "Killing and injuring a number of the families of # Da'ash who preferred to stay in the…

Summary

Published
11 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1905

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between seven and ten civilians were killed - including children - and as many as 18 were wounded, following air and artillery on Al Baghouz camp. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most media blamed the US-led Coalition, and more than seven sources attributed the blame to both the Coalition and the…

Summary

Published
10 March 2019
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
15–18
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1906

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what has been described as a massacre, between 50 and 70 civilians were reportedly killed - mostly women and children according to local media - by US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Baghouz camp. In addition to this, "dozens" were reportedly wounded. Sources described "devastating bombs of enormous proportions" which bombarded the vicinity in the…

Summary

Published
10 March 2019
Civilians reported killed
50–70
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

10 March 2019

Incident Code

CI877a

Location

near Qayyarah-West Airfield, Iraq, Nineveh, Iraq
In an event previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injury of one civilian in an event near Qayyarah-West Airfield, Iraq. The Pentagon later confirmed this as a US action. In its May 2019 civilian casualty report, the Coalition noted: "Regrettably, one civilian was unintentionally injured by Coalition small arms fire." The…

Summary

Published
10 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1904

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An unspecific number of civilians were killed and injured, in renewed US-led Coalition airstrikes on Al Baghouz camp. All sources blamed the Coalition for the strikes.  Reportage by @banipon9 showed images and footage of "charred" civilians due to the use of internationally banned phosphorous bombs. According to Sana news "claiming the lives of a number…

Summary

Published
7 March 2019
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

3 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1902

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that Coalition airstrikes or possibly an Apache helicopter attack struck Al Baghouz "camp" on the night of March 3rd 2019. Other sources blamed SDF (in fact most likely Coalition) artillery. One source reported that civilians were killed and injured in the attack, including five people from the same family, but did not…

Summary

Published
3 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident