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

Search

2981 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

3 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1903

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that the Coalition had renewed shelling on Al Baghouz after midnight on March 3rd 2019. One of the shells allegedly struck an ammunition depot that caused a large explosion in the camp. According to one local source, Hamah.Now, up to 250 civilians were killed and wounded in the event. In a tweet,…

Summary

Published
3 March 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
12–250
Civilians reported injured
2–250
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1901a

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz Fawqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In its monthly civilian harm report issued January 3rd 2020, the US-led Coalition conceded a self-reported civilian harm event in al Baghouz Fawqani on this date which killed one civilian. The event was previously untracked by Airwars. As the CJTFOIR report noted, "March 2, 2019, in Baghouz Faqwani, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1901

Location

مخيم الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that three ISIS family members were killed when air and artillery strikes allegedly struck an IDP camp on the outskirts of Al Baghouz. The incident occurred on the evening of March 2nd. A number of sources said the victims were Russian. Khawlan ibn Al Sinia named the family as that of  'Mu'az…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 February 2019

Incident Code

CS1900a

Location

هداج, Hadaj, Al Hassakah, Syria
Bread salesman Abdul Razzaq Mohammed from the village of Abu Juba was heading to work passing through Hadaj village when he was allegedly shot and hit by Coalition machine gun fire during Coalition operations in the village. Local sources reported he died of the injuries sustained in the strike. No other details are known at…

Summary

Published
17 February 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 February 2019

Incident Code

CS1898

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In the final stages of the fight against ISIS in its last territorial stronghold, four civilians were alleged killed as a result of shelling by the International Coalition on houses in the outskirts of the town of Al-Baghouz in the eastern suburb of Deir Ezzor on the morning of February 11th. According to Euphrates Post…

Summary

Published
11 February 2019
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 February 2019

Incident Code

CS1899

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In the final stages of the fight against ISIS in its last territorial stronghold in Al-Baghouz, alleged Coalition shelling killed at least 16 civilians in the evening of February 11th on the outskirts of the town, according to local sources. Monitors reported that among the victims were seven children, eight women and one elderly man,…

Summary

Published
11 February 2019
Civilians reported killed
16
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident