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

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

Incident Date

11 February 2019

Incident Code

CS1900

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to several local sources including ISIS, the Coalition killed between 50 and 100 civilians when an airstrike struck Al-Baghouz in the final stages of the fight against ISIS' last territorial stronghold. While reports varied on the exact number of civilian casualties, most sources claimed that the majority of the victims were women and children.…

Summary

Published
11 February 2019
Civilians reported killed
50–100
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 February 2019

Incident Code

CS1897

Location

بادية بلدة الطيان, Desert of Al Tayyana town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike struck al-Tayyana town in the countryside of al-Mayadeen and killed up to five civilians, according to local sources. The action occurred in response to an ISIS attack on an oil well. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that violent clashes between Syrian Democratic Forces and ISIS took place in the…

Summary

Published
9 February 2019
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6–7 February, 2019

Incident Code

CS1896

Location

الشحيل, Al Shahil - possibly Al-Khayasah neighborhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted the house of Majid al-Salama in Al Shahil on the night of February 6th-7th. Baladi News blamed "US helicopters from the International Alliance, backed by high-flying jet fighters" for the airstrike. Other sources claim he was killed by gunfire. Three civilians were later admitted to have…

Summary

Published
6 February 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident