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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

20 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1914

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz , Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported the death of the young woman "Alaa Mahmoud Al-Shakran" displaced from the city of Palmyra, as a result of alleged Coalition on the town of Al-Baghouz on March 20th. According to a post by Revo.palmyra3, this brings the number of fatalities to four civilians displaced from Palmyra including two women and one…

Summary

Published
20 March 2019
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2019

Incident Code

CI878a

Location

Anbar, Al Anbar, Iraq
In an incident previously not tracked by Airwars, the Coalition later confirmed the death of one civilian and the injury of another near Anbar, Iraq. This was later confirmed to be a US action. As CJTFOIR's June 2019 civilian casualty report noted: "Coalition forces engaged in a small arms fire event. Regrettably, one civilian was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 March 2019

Incident Code

CS1916

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two local sources reported that two named civilians - Shaimaa Walid Al Turki  and Rahaf Darwish - died in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Baghouz camp. According to revo.palmyra3, the two victimns were displaced from Palmyra and died "as a result of the daily bombardment of aircraft". Palmyra and Al Sukhna group noted that…

Summary

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

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
Military actors reported killed
16
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