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

1 February 2019

Incident Code

CS1895

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A woman was reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on a residential building in Al-Baghouz town. Surrounding houses were also reportedly damaged. In a tweet, Deir Ezzor 24 reported that "The International Alliance Air is targeting a gathering of displaced people on the outskirts of the town of # Al-Baghouz in the eastern countryside…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1894

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to several local sources, the "American coalition" bombed the town of Al-Baghouz with several airstrikes, killing two civilians and causing significant material damage. No additional details are known at this time. In its January 2021 monthly civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition determined this event to be ‘non credible’, asserting: “The allegation provided insufficient detail…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 January 2019

Incident Code

CS1893

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that the Coalition fired several missiles at or near residential buildings in Al-Baghouz town, claiming the lives of up to 14 civilians. One source claimed the attack was by a US B-1 bomber. In a September 20 2021 strike report for the incident, the US Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent…

Summary

Published
29 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8–14
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

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
Military actors reported killed
29
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident