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

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

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