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

25 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1892a

Location

الباغوز, near al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 - published on December 5th of that year - the Coalition conceded the injuring of a civilian in a strike near Baghouz. According to the report, "January 25, 2019, near Baghouz, Syria, via self-report. Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against a Daesh tunnel entrance. Regrettably, one…

Summary

Published
25 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25–26 January, 2019

Incident Code

CS1891a

Location

الباغوز, Between Al-Baghuz Fawqani town and Al-Marashdah village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of that year – the Coalition conceded the killing of three civilians and the injuring of a fourth in a strike near Marashdah. The Pentagon later declared this as a US-only civilian harm event. According to the report, “January 25, 2019,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25–26 January, 2019

Incident Code

CS1891

Location

الباغوز, Between Al-Baghuz Fawqani town and Al-Marashdah village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike killed a total of 42 people, including 13 civilians in addition to 29 members of ISIS according to local reports. Among other sources, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Coalition "shelled places on the eastern banks of the Euphrates River, in the eastern sector of Deir Ezzor countryside,…

Summary

Published
25 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–13
Civilians reported injured
3–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24–26 January, 2019

Incident Code

CS1892

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that a named child originally from the city of Mohsen, and named as Omar Basim al-Aliwi, died from wounds sustained "several days ago" in an alleged Coalition airstrike on the town of Al Baghouz. Airwars has therefore placed the date range of this reported event as January 24th-26th. No other details are…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1890

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz: Sheikh Hamad neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that a Coalition airstrike struck a civilian vehicle moving out of ISIS controlled areas at the intersection of Sheikh Hamad on the outskirts of the town Al Baghouz, east of Deir Ezzor, shortly before midnight. The Coalition described an admission of six civilian deaths at Baghhouz on this date as "related incidents",…

Summary

Published
22 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1889a

Location

Ash Shajilah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the injuries of two civilians near Ash Shajilah, Syria. This was later confirmed to be a US-only civilian harm event. In its July 2019 civilian casualty report the Coalition noted the following: "Coalition aircraft conducted an airstrike against Daesh terrorists. Regrettably, two civilians…

Summary

Published
20 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident